TRENDS IN PERINATAL-MORTALITY IN QATIF-CENTRAL-HOSPITAL, SAUDI-ARABIA

Objective: To assess the contribution of a neonatal intensive care uni t to reduction in the perinatal mortality rate. Design: The perinatal mortality data over a 5-year period were retrospectively analysed. Set ting: The Maternity and Neonatal units of Qatif Central Hospital. Subj ects: The deliveries and babies admitted into the neonatal unit over t he period. Interventions: The standard neonatal intensive care procedu res. Outcome measures: Changes in the stillbirth rate, early neonatal mortality rate and perinatal mortality rate. Results: The overall peri natal mortality rate was 16.6/1000. The perinatal mortality rate dropp ed from 29.1/1000 in 1988 to 15.5/1000 in 1992 (p <0.001). There was a greater drop in early neonatal mortality rate than stillbirth rate (p <0.001). Major causes of perinatal deaths were asphyxia (59.1%), cong enital anomalies (12.4%), hyaline membrane disease (12.4%), pulmonary immaturity (9.3%), intracranial haemorrhage (3.6%) and bacterial infec tions (2.1%). Fifty-six (51.9%) of the stillbirths were to unbooked mo thers. Conclusions: The neonatal intensive care unit was effective in reducing perinatal mortality rate, Improved prenatal care coverage wou ld lead to a further reduction in perinatal mortality rare to the leve l observed in more developed countries.