PERINATAL-MORTALITY IN THE CAPE PROVINCE, 1989-1991

Objective. To determine the number of deliveries, the low-birth-weight rate and the perinatal mortality rate at provincial and province-aide d hospitals and clinics in each planning region of the Cape Province. Design. A record of the number of deliveries, low-birthweight infants, stillbirths and early neonatal deaths in provincial and province-aide d hospitals and clinics in each planning region of the Cape Province b etween 1 January 1989 and 31 December 1991. Setting. All provincial an d province-aided hospitals and clinics in the Cape Province. Participa nts. Hospital and clinic staff of all provincial and province-aided ho spitals and clinics in the Cape Province. Main outcomes measured. Numb er of deliveries, low-birth-weight infants, stillbirths and early neon atal deaths in each planning region of the Gape Province. Results. A t otal of 373 768 births were recorded during the 3-year period with a l ow-birth-weight rate of 14,7%, a stillbirth rate of 17,9 per 1 000 and an early neonatal mortality rate of 9,1 per 1 000, All rates differed widely between regions, The regions with the highest perinatal mortal ity rates were in the northern and eastern Cape. Conclusion. The perin atal demographics of most regions in the Cape Province are typical of a developing country, Regions which have been identified as having the highest low-birth-weight, stillbirth and early neonatal mortality rat es are in greatest need of improved perinatal health care.