Perinatal mortality at the Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh

ABSTRACT

Perinatal deaths at the Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital during 1982 were investigated by case record analysis. Out of 3350 infants delivered, 63 died. A total of 19 babies [30.1%] died before labour, 16 [25.3%] died during labour and 28 [44.4%] died after delivery. Out of the 63 perinatal deaths, 22 [33.3%] were due to congenital abnormality which in 9 cases was malformation of the central nervous system. There were 6 deaths in multiple pregnancies. Causes of death were divided into 9 categories, using an extended version of the Aberdeen classification. The largest single cause of death was congenital anomalies [22 cases] followed by low birthweight in normally formed babies whose mothers had no complications of pregnancy [14 cases]. No death was attributed to Rhesus incompatability. The total perinatal mortality rate was 18.8/1000 births. The perinatal mortality rate for single births over 28 weeks gestation was 17.7/1000 births