Perinatal Mortality and Related Obstetric Risk Factors at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Hyderabad

OBJECTIVE: To determine perinatal mortality rate and its related obstetric risk factors in our setup. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Unit-I), Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, from January to December 2006. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All perinatal deaths including stillbirths (SBs) and early neonatal deaths (ENNDs) within 0-7 days of birth after 24 weeks of gestation were studied during the study period, while Pregnancies < 24 weeks of gestation were excluded from the study. The relevant information was collected through a pre-designed proforma which contained variables including maternal demographics, obstetric risk factors and other details. RESULTS: A total number of 2224 deliveries were analysed for perinatal mortality. Out of these, there were 224 perinatal deaths giving a PNMR of 100.7/1000 births. There were 196 SBs and 28 ENNDs. Among these, 88% women were unbooked. Commonest risk factors was antepartum haemorrhage (27.67%), followed by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (23.21%) and mechanical factors affecting labour (14.28%). Congenital abnormalities were found in 9.8% of PNDs while maternal medical disorders were seen in 6.25% cases. In 3.5% cases, chorioamnionitis/neonatal septicaemia was the underlying cause and multiple pregnancies were seen in only 02 (0.89%) cases. However, in 32 (14.28%) cases, no cause was found. CONCLUSION: The high perinatal mortality rate in present study is comparable to the figures from other institutions. Main reason being lack of antenatal and pre-pregnancy care where from almost all obstetric risk factors can be picked up and treated /prevented.