Maternal mortality in Hong Kong 1961–1985

Abstract

The maternal mortality rate in Hong Kong fell from 0.45/1000 total births in 1961 to 0.05/1000 total births in 1985. During the period between 1961 and 1985 there were a total of 438 maternal deaths and 2,193,012 births. Of the 438 deaths 150 (34%) were due to haemorrhage during pregnancy and childbirth (ICD 640, 641, 666), 89 (20%) were due to pre-eclampsia (ICD 642, 643) and 60 (13.7%) were due to ectopic pregnancy (ICD 633). Comparison of maternal deaths by cause between the periods 1961-1965 and 1981-1985 showed an 86% reduction in deaths due to haemorrhage and pre-eclampsia and a 72% reduction in deaths due to ectopic pregnancy. Pulmonary embolism was not a major cause of maternal mortality.