Causes of Maternal Mortality
Causes of maternal deaths
An estimated 287,000 mothers die each year from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications. 99% of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, the majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. A woman’s lifetime risk of maternal death in developing countries is 1 in 150 in contrast to 1 in 4700 in developed countries. The major causes accounting for 80% of all maternal deaths are: severe bleeding (hemorrhage), infections, high blood pressure (eclampsia), obstructed labor and unsafe abortions - these complications are all avoidable.
Causes of newborn deaths
Maternal death and infant survival are closely linked. An estimated 3 million babies die in their first month of life; one million newborns do not even survive their first day of life. 80% of newborn deaths are caused by prematurity, complications during childbirth, and infections. Just as the majority of maternal deaths, most newborn deaths could be prevented through already available, proven and low-cost maternal and newborn health-care interventions.
