Question

The commonest cause of maternal mortality in India is:

• A. Anemia
• B. Hemorrhage
• C. Abortion
• D. Sepsis

Hint:

Postpartum hemorrhage remains India's top direct cause of maternal death.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

This question tests knowledge of the leading cause of maternal deaths in India, a key fact in community medicine.

1. Anemia: A common indirect cause that makes bleeding and infection more dangerous, but not the single biggest direct cause by itself.
2. Hemorrhage: Mainly postpartum hemorrhage, this is the direct cause responsible for the largest share of maternal deaths in India, since heavy bleeding after delivery can kill within hours if care is delayed.
3. Abortion: Unsafe abortion adds meaningfully to maternal deaths but contributes a smaller share than hemorrhage.
4. Sepsis: Puerperal infection is an important but again a smaller contributor compared with hemorrhage.

Across national maternal mortality surveys and sample registration data, hemorrhage tops the list of direct obstetric causes of death in India, ahead of sepsis, unsafe abortion, obstructed labour and hypertensive disorders.

Let's summarize:

• Hemorrhage, chiefly postpartum hemorrhage, is India's leading cause of maternal death.
• Anemia, abortion and sepsis are real but smaller contributors.

So the correct answer is hemorrhage.