Question:easy
What is the denominator used in calculating the maternal mortality rate (ratio)?
What is the denominator used in calculating the maternal mortality rate (ratio)?
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The denominator is per 1,00,000 of what reliably registered birth event?
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Total number of live births
- Total number of married women
- Total number of births
- Midyear population
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The maternal mortality ratio links deaths from maternal causes to the size of the population at risk of such deaths, which is best represented by women who actually delivered. By international convention the denominator is the number of live births, not all births and not the general population. The standard expression is $MMR = \dfrac{\text{maternal deaths}}{\text{live births}} \times 100000$. Live births are chosen because birth registration captures them dependably, whereas counting all pregnancies (including early losses) is impractical, and using married women or the midyear population would dilute the measure with people not exposed to the maternal risk. Hence the denominator is the total number of live births.
\[\boxed{\text{Total number of live births}}\]
\[\boxed{\text{Total number of live births}}\]
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