PERINATAL MORTALITY

Abstract

Objective: The aim of study was to assess perinatal mortality rate in mentioned period and to know the probable cause
of the perinatal mortality. Place & Period: The study conducted at Gynae Unit III Lady Willingdon Hospital Lahore from
January 2001 to December 2002. Patients & Methods: All the perinatal mortality occurring during the study period.
Data collection done on designed performa. Patients detailed history, management & the probable cause of the
perinatal mortality recorded. At the end of the study data was compiled. Results: Total number of births in the
mentioned period was 7665. The number of perinatal death was 625. The perinatal mortality rate was 82/1000.In the
study 560 (90%) cases were unbooked while 115(10%) cases were booked. Four hundred and thirty (69%) were
neonatal deaths while 195(31%) cases were stillborn. Most of the patients belong to low socioeconomic group.
Regarding the occupation 438 (70%) patients were house wives. Four hundred and sixty four (74%) patients were
uneducated. One seventy (27%), 200 patients (32%) were multigravida and 255 (40.8%) patients were grand
multigravida. The major cause of perinatal mortality was prematurity in 325 (52%), asphyxia neonatorum in 100(16%)
cases, meconium aspiration in 30%) cases & congenital malformations in 40(6.8%) cases. Conclusion: Most of the
causes of perinatal mortality are avoidable. By providing the proper antenatal care, developing the proper referral
system in indicated cases and better peadatric training can reduce the perinatal mortality.