Objective: Analysis of maternal mortality in the Czech Republic in 2001. Design: Retrospective statistical and clinical analysis. Setting: Mother and Child Care Institute, Prague-Podoli; Methods: We used database of 9 cases of maternal deaths in the Czech Republic during 2001 to analyze their causes, clinical courses especially related to obstetrical surgery, adequacy of provided care, and characteristics of their occurrence. Results: There were total of 9 reported maternal deaths in pregnancy, during labor or within 42 days after delivery in the Czech Republic in 2001. During the same period there were 90 715 live births in the Czech Republic, and Pregnancy-related mortality ratio (A+B+C) was 0.0992 ‰, i.e. 9.92 deaths per 100.000 live births. This is about 1.08 ‰ better than in 2000 (the table 5 demonstrates the development of maternal mortality during the last 11 years). One reported death was unrelated to gestation (cathegory C), therefore adjusted maternal mortality rate (A+B) was 0.0882 ‰, i.e. 8.82 deaths per 100.000 live births versus 9.9 deaths per 100.000 live births in 2000. Group A (specific risk – direct maternal mortality) contributed to adjusted maternal mortality by 5 maternal deaths and direct maternal mortality was 5.5 per 100,000 live births. Group B (non-specific risk – undirect maternal mortality) contributed by 3 maternal deaths and undirect maternal mortality was 3.3 per 100,000 live births.

        Key words: thromembolism, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, maternal mortality, gestation