KERALA’S MATERNAL MORTALITY RATIO (MMR)

Current Context: Kerala’s maternal mortality ratio has risen from 18 to 30 per 100,000 live births as per the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021–2023 bulletin.

• This rise is linked to COVID-19-related maternal deaths and demographic shifts, though Kerala still shares the lowest MMR in India (along with Andhra Pradesh).

ABOUT MMR TRENDS IN KERALA

• Earlier stable at 30–32 per 100,000 live births from 2014 to 2019.
• Spike to 51 in 2021-22 due to 220 maternal deaths linked to COVID-19.
• Now stabilised at 30, though higher than 18 reported previously.

DECLINING LIVE BIRTHS & ITS IMPACT

• Annual live births declined from 5–5.5 lakh earlier to below 4 lakh now.
• 3,93,231 live births in 2023, expected to drop to ~3.54 lakh in 2024-25.
• MMR = (Maternal Deaths ÷ Live Births) × 100,000 → fewer births make the ratio more sensitive to each death.

DEFINITION & CLASSIFICATION OF MATERNAL MORTALITY

• MMR = Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
• Maternal death = Death during pregnancy or within 42 days after termination, from causes related to pregnancy or its management (not accidents).
• ICD codes: O00–O96, O98, O99, A34.
• ICD-11 (2022) updated terminology but statistics remain comparable.

RELATED TERMS

• Live birth: Any baby showing signs of life at birth, regardless of gestation.
• Late maternal death: Death after 42 days but within 1 year post-pregnancy.
• ICD-11 combines early and late maternal deaths as comprehensive maternal deaths.