The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate are different measures. The denominator used in Maternal Mortality RATIO is:

• A Total number of women of reproductive age (15–49 years) per year
• B Total number of live births × 100,000 ✓
• C Total number of pregnancies (including stillbirths and abortions) × 100,000
• D Total number of deaths in women of reproductive age × 100,000

Explanation

The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) = (Number of maternal deaths / Number of live births) × 100,000. The live birth denominator is used as a proxy for pregnancies (since direct pregnancy counts are unavailable) and reflects the obstetric risk per pregnancy outcome. The Maternal Mortality Rate uses mid-year female population of reproductive age as denominator, reflecting the population risk. India's MMR declined to 97 per 100,000 live births (SRS 2018–20) and targets <70 per SDG 2030. Total pregnancies (including stillbirths and abortions) in the denominator is used by some WHO analyses but is not the standard MMR denominator.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.