Background and Design. The aim of this study is to assess maternal mortality rate in Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty and to help develop new health strategies to control maternal mortality rates by determining the factors and diseases which increase risks. Charts of patient seen between 1991 and 1996 were retrospectively reviewed in the Department of ObstetricsGynecology and Intensive Care Unit.
Results. During this period, 19.808 births had been recorded. There were 16 maternal deaths. The rate of maternal mortality of our department was 80 per 100.000 births. Pregnancyinduced hypertension was the most frequent cause of maternal death in Intensive Care Unit Department.
Conclusion. Maternal mortality rates of Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty are similar to national statistics, mainly because it is a referral hospital of the district. Most referred cases were patients with inadequate antenatal followup, which comprised the majority of the maternal deaths. Pregnancyinduced hypertension is the major cause. The poor outcome of this disease and others can be significantly improved with proper antenatal care and patient education.