Maternal mortality in Italy, 1980-1996

OBJECTIVE: To establish the extent of maternal mortality in Italy in between 1980 and 1996 in order to compare it with the international data. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective study on maternal deaths in Italy from 1980 to 1996. Data have been collected by Italian Statistic Institute (ISTAT). We calculated both the maternal mortality rates and the percentages of causes of death in the whole period, according to WHO definitions. RESULTS: The data confirmed the trends of the previous decade: maternal mortality rates have decreased from 13.25 (1980) to 3.78 (1996) for 100000 live births. Haemorrhage and hypertension have been the main causes of maternal death, while pulmonary embolism has had a minor affect on maternal mortality rates compared to other countries, particularly in Europe. CONCLUSION: Italian data appear reassuring and encourage further investigations on detailed welfare problems.