Commonest cause of maternal death in India is

UPPSC 2017

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2017

Explanation

Haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality in India.
According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) survey data, haemorrhage accounts for 38% of all maternal deaths, making it the single most frequent cause.
It is a direct obstetric complication, with postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) being the most common and dangerous form.
Rapid and severe blood loss can quickly lead to hypovolemic shock and death without prompt intervention.

Option A: Obstructed labour is a direct cause of maternal death, but it is far less common than haemorrhage, accounting for only about 5% of deaths in India.
Option B: Sepsis (puerperal infection) is a major direct cause of maternal death but ranks second to haemorrhage, causing approximately 11% of deaths.
Option C: Anaemia is a leading indirect cause of maternal death and a major aggravating factor in about 19% of cases. However, the question asks for the commonest cause, which is typically the final, direct event leading to death. Haemorrhage is the leading direct cause with a much higher percentage (38%).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causes of Maternal Mortality in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The high rate of death from haemorrhage underscores the critical importance of Active Management of the Third Stage of Labour (AMTSL) to prevent postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).
Nurses play a vital role in identifying patients with risk factors for PPH (e.g., multiple pregnancies, prolonged labour, history of PPH), monitoring for early signs of excessive bleeding, and initiating emergency measures.
What if? - If the question had asked for the most common indirect cause of maternal death, the answer would be Anaemia. Anaemia significantly worsens a woman's ability to survive obstetric complications, especially haemorrhage.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key components of the question: 'commonest cause', 'maternal death', and the specific location 'India'.
Recall the major causes of maternal mortality, distinguishing between direct causes (complications of pregnancy and childbirth) and indirect causes (pre-existing conditions aggravated by pregnancy).
The term 'commonest cause' usually refers to the most frequent direct cause leading to death.
Evaluate the given options based on epidemiological data for India. Haemorrhage is a direct cause. Sepsis is a direct cause. Anaemia is primarily an indirect cause. Obstructed labour is a direct cause.
Compare the known frequencies. Haemorrhage is consistently reported as the leading direct cause of maternal death in India and many other developing nations.
Therefore, select Haemorrhage as the most accurate answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) pp. 59-61, 57-59