REDUCING PERINATAL-MORTALITY IN VILA-CENTRAL-HOSPITAL, VANUATU

This paper provides accurate figures and detailed analysis of the caus es of perinatal mortality in the main referral hospital in Vanuatu in 1992, and discusses possible improvements in management. The perinatal mortality rate for the Vila Central Hospital area was 30.4 per 1000 b irths (with a stillbirth rate of 14 per 1000). These figures include m others who presented for the first time in labour without any antenata l care, and cases of very low birthweight (less than 1kg). These resul ts were achieved with very low intervention rates. The commonest cause of death in Vanuatu was birth asphyxia, with prematurity, unexplained stillbirth and major congenital abnormality as the other main causes. Even though there is still scope for improvement, especially in the p revention of birth asphyxia, the perinatal mortality rate in Vanuatu c ompares favourably with that in other developing countries. Increased family planning uptake will be expected to lead to a reduction in peri natal mortality.