MATERNAL MORTALITY

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14771, 10 October 1921, Page 5

MATERNAL MORTALITY

— i COMiVIITTcE’S REPORT. {By Telegraph.—Press Association). \VELLINGTON, Monday. The Board uf Health appointed ■> committee to consider the Question uf maternal mortality in New Zealand. This committee, in its reports, stales that during' the last Quinquennial period Hie average annual maternal mortality had been 157, of which 57 were due to sepsis. The factors which lead to sepis in this country arc put down under three main headings. (1) The abnormal virulence of aganisius and the diminished resistance of individuals, due possibly to conditions during and subsequent to Hie war period. Tlie lack of domestic help and the fact of housing difficulties may well he factors contributing io diminished resistance. It is also shown Unit there was an abnormally high deulii rale due to septic conditions following on the attempt to procure abortion. (2) Unsuitable surroundings, such as some private houses. Moreover some private maternity, hospitals are not free from conditions which lead to septicaemia and allied troubles. (3) An unduly large use of instruments other than operative measures at confinements, the use of which is urged by patients and their friends. A reduction in instrumental delivery is urgently necessary. The committee make a number of recommendations of general application, advising that, every case of maternal death or notified puerperal sepsis be forthwith investigated by the medical officer of heal Hi.