Maternal deaths from ectopic pregnancy in the South Atlantic region, 1960 through 1976.

The authors have calculated the maternal mortality rates from ectopic pregnancy in the Southeastern United States. Between 1960 and 1975 81 per cent of 207 ectopic deaths occurred in nonwhite women. A more detailed study of 24 deaths from ectopic pregnancy in North Carolina shows that from 1961 to 1976 4.2 per cent of all direct obstetric deaths and 15.9 per cent of deaths from hemorrhage were due to reptured ectopic gestation. The most striking observation was the dramatic reduction in deaths from ectopic pregnancy among nonwhite women. Maternal mortality rates for ectopic pregnancy should properly be based on the conception rate, consisting of live births plus abortions rather than live births alone. Missed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy as a factor in maternal mortality rate requires more intensive educational efforts directed toward primary-care physicians.