Perinatal mortality rate in a south Indian population

Abstract

Perinatal mortality rate was assessed for 13964 consecutive births in SAT Hospital, Trivandrum, South India, during a period of one year. The overall perinatal mortality rate was 42.75, stillbirth rate 24.41 and early neonatal mortality rate 18.79. The perinatal mortality rate in multiple pregnancy was 156.65. Preventable causes of perinatal mortality still make a major contribution to perinatal deaths in developing countries.

PIP: Researchers analyzed 13,964 birth records of infants born between April 1986-March 1987 at the SAT Hospital in Trivandrum, South India to determine the perinatal mortality rate (PNMR), stillbirth rate (SBR), and early neonatal mortality rate (ENMR). The PNMR stood at 42.75 compared to the national average of 66.3. The rate at SAT Hospital compared favorably with other teaching hospitals in India (range 57.3-105.7). CMC Hospital in Vellore had a lower rate (40.7), however. The SBR was 24.41 and the ENMR was 18.79. 2.74% of all births consisted of multiple births most of whom were twins. Multiple births made up 10.5% of all perinatal deaths. Multiple pregnancies were 4 times more likely to result in perinatal death than singleton births (PNMR 156.65). Stillbirths were more apt to occur among infants weighing at least 2000 g whereas neonatal deaths was higher in infants weighing 1000 g. Further the NMR for premature 1-24 hours of life. Neonatal deaths at 1-24 hours old were more common among 1000-1499 g infants (23.33%) than the other weight groups. Male infants were more likely to die before and after birth than female infants (55.77% of still births and 53.28% of neonatal deaths). The leading causes of death were birth asphyxia (31.28%), prematurity (15.6%), congenital malformations (8.4%), and infections (7.2%). Despite SAT Hospital's favorable PNMR rating in India, the PNMR was still too high. Most of the deaths could have been prevented. Thus the hospital should improve antenatal, obstetric, and neonatal services.