International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

An academic has warned the maternal mortality rate in developing countries is too high.

According to Professor Kofoworola Odeyemi of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, there is a "large disparity" between the number of mothers dying in the developed and developing world, Nigerian newspaper the Nation reports.

She warned this is a particularly big problem in Nigeria, as the chances of a female not surviving childbirth are about one in 16.

"In developed countries, it is one in 2,800," Professor Odeyemi commented.

The academic noted that maternal mortality is also proving to be a particularly big problem in India and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the moment.

She warned that at least 515,000 women are dying every year due to complications with their pregnancy, the baby's delivery or getting through the post-natal period.

However, Professor Odeyemi pointed out that approximately 99 per cent of these fatalities take place in the developing world.

Posted by Carla Mackenzie