Maternal mortality.

Maternal mortality in Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Calcutta, in 1983, 1985 and 1986 was 2.45, 3.01 and 2.8 per thousand respectively. Abortion contributed a little in 1983 and 1985, whereas it was 15.7% in 1986. Haemorrhage was the commonest single cause of death in 1983 (28%) and 1985 (21.4%) as opposed to eclampsia in 1986 (28.9%). Infective hepatitis during pregnancy and labour was the commonest indirect cause of maternal mortality followed by anaemia. Usual difficulties like lack of antenatal care, multiparity, low socio-economical status, illiteracy, etc, in populated developing countries are responsible for this sad state of affairs in this country as well.