Perinatal and neonatal deaths

Objective: To study perinatal/neonatal mortality patterns, determine the ca uses and make suggestions on how to reduce them. Method: A retrospective record study of stillbirth, early neonatal death an d late neonatal death at Abha Maternity Hospital, Abha. All stillbirths and neonatal deaths that occurred in a 5-year period (1992-1996). The obstetri c and neonatal registers and charts related to these deaths were reviewed. Results: The average perinatal mortality rate was 14 per 1000 total births and the neonatal mortality rate was 9.6 per 1000 live-births during the per iod. The major death determinants were low birth weight (LBW)/prematurity, stillbirth, congenital malformation and birth asphyxia. Infants with weight 1.5 kg and less, carry the worst prognosis for survival (perinatal/neonata l mortality pattern: 254-359 per 1000). Survival was comparatively better w ith those weighing 1.501-2.5 kg (perinatal/neonatal mortality rate: 20 per 1000) and best with those weighing > 2.5kg (perinatal/neonatal mortality ra te: 2 per 1000). Thirty-nine percent of neonatal deaths occurred in the fir st 24 hours and cumulative 78% in the first week of life. Respiratory insuf ficiency (89.9% of cases) and sepsis (36% of cases) were the main causes of neonatal deaths in low birth weight infants. Conclusion: Factors causing perinatal and neonatal deaths in Abha Maternity Hospital are similar to those in other tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia and approximate to those in America and Europe. The study indicates the nee d to expand and update facilities for neonatal care in our hospital.