Anaesthesia and safe motherhood.
The challenges of obstetric care in the developing world are enormous. Many fit young mothers die or suffer disabling birth injuries from preventable complications of pregnancy that are easily treated with basic facilities. Maternal mortality rates in excess of 1% have been recorded in a number of countries. Access to Caesarean section is a particular problem, with rates lower than 1% being commonplace. The provision of appropriate anaesthesia services is of international concern.
Clyburn
P
P
Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK. clyburn@cf.ac.uk
Morris
S
S
Hall
J
J
D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality / Q000592:standards*; D002423:Cause of Death; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D011247:Pregnancy