Changing trend in maternal mortality.

The maternal mortality in Calcutta National Medical College from 1977-1980 was 4.14/1000. Direct obstetric cause was responsible for 60.78% of the deaths and indirect obstetric cause for 35.29%. Hepatic coma was the major cause (29.41%). As effective curative treatment is not available all possible prophylactic measures should be taken in the antenatal period to contain death from infective hepatitis. (authors modified)