Front Page UK World Business Sci/Tech Sport Despatches World News in Audio On Air Talking Point Feedback Low Graphics Help Site Map			Tuesday, April 7, 1998 Published at 09:46 GMT 10:46 UK Special Report Deadly facts and figures Mothers in Northern Europe have the lowest mortality rate Women in developing countries are 250 times more likely to die from causes related to pregnancy than women in Europe. The highest maternal mortality figures are found in Eastern and Western Africa. In some countries more than 1,000 women die for every 100,000 live births. The lowest maternal mortality figures are for Northern Europe with rates of between of up to11 for every 100,000 live births. Over 20% of all maternal deaths occur from unsafe abortion, often carried out where abortion is illegal or unavailable. Roughly 50% of all "perinatal"deaths, that is deaths of foetuses during pregnancy or babies up to a month after birth, are due to poor maternal care during pregnancy and delivery. Between 25-35% of all deaths of women of childbearing age in developing countries result from complications during childbirth or pregnancy. Around 300 million women, more than one quarter of all women in the developing world, suffer from some illness related to pregnancy or childbirth. For many this leads to long term illness. Long-term complications can include: incontinence as a result of holes in the birth canal; infertility as a result of infection; and permanent nerve damage leading to muscle deterioration in the legs and possible permanent disability. � Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage �			[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]