Study of causes and risk factors of perinatal mortality in Al Ameen Medical College, Vijayapur

摘要

Objective: Perinatal mortality rate is a sensitive indicator of quality and quantity of maternal andneonatal health services. Our aim was to study the causes of perinatal deaths and the trends of early neonataldeaths in NICU with respect to the causes and to estimate determinants of perinatal mortality and suggestremedial measures for its reduction. Background: Perinatal mortality is mirror reflection of maternal and childhealth and socioeconomic environment of community. It is influenced by various avoidable and unavoidablecauses. It can be reduced by improving maternal and child health services and by health education. Methods:Our study was carried out in labour room and N.I.C.U. of Al Ameen Medical College, Vijayapura. We includedstill born babies with gestational age28 weeks and early neonatal deaths i.e, till 7th day of life in this study.Fetomaternal factors like maternal age, religion, residence, parity, mode of delivery, booking status, antenatalcomplications, birth weight, congenital anomalies, neonatal complications influencing perinatal mortality ratewere tabulated and analyzed. Cause of perinatal death was assessed. Results: Perinatal mortality rate was33.84/1000 total births. Maternal factors like age more than 35 years, inadequate antenatal care, primiparity,grand multiparity, induced deliveries and neonatal factors like low birth weight, prematurity were associatedwith increased perinatal mortality. The leading cause of stillbirth was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy andprematurity for neonatal mortality. Conclusion: Apart from clinical causes high perinatal mortality was due topoverty, illiteracy, lack of health awareness, inadequate antenatal care and delayed referral. Health education,identification of high risk mothers, timely referral, advanced life support of preterm neonates shouldsignificantly help to reduce perinatal deaths.