Maternal mortality in Rajavithi Hospital 1984-1998: analysis of the causes of death.

From January 1st, 1985 to December 31st, 1998 there were 49 maternal deaths. The completed data of 45 cases were reviewed to evaluate the causes of death including direct, indirect and non maternal death. The mean maternal mortality ratio was 19.18 per 100,000 live births. The leading causes of death were hemorrhage, infection, pregnancy induced hypertension and amnionic fluid embolism. The maternal mortality ratio can be reduced because the most common cause of death was hemorrhage which is preventable.