ABSTRACT
Between 1972 and 1975 (4 years), the Hospital de Ginecoobstetricia "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto" of the I.M.S.S. at Monterrey, N.L., reported a birth rate of 106, 771 with 98.35% (105,004) live borns. The morbidity rate was 262.06/1000 live borns and the perinatal mortality was 31.24/1000, divided into antenatal 16.54/1000 and posnatal 14.70/1000. Within morbidity, prematurity and/or low weight occupies the first place, followed by respiratory pathology and afterwards, jaundice, infections, obstetric trauma and finally, congenital malformations. The neonatal mortality reached 14.70/1000 live borns and if we consider gestational age, 22.9% corresponds to immature products, 50.2% prematures and 26.0% to full-term products. In relation to hours of life, we find that 62.50% of the total number of deaths were reported in products less than 24 hrs. of life and 37.50%, in products over 24 hrs. of life.
PIP: The article reports figures of perinatal morbimortality gathered in a large metropolitan hospital in Mexico between 1972 and 1975. Of 106,771 births, 98.34% were live births, 1.65% were stillbirths, 7.23% were preterm births, 0.35% were immature babies, and 92.41% were births at full term. Morbidity rate was 262.06/1000, and perinatal mortality was 32.24/1000. Major causes of morbidity were, in order of decreasing importance, prematurity and low birth weight, respiratory pathology, jaundice, several types of infection, obstetrical traumas, and congenital malformations. Neonatal mortality accounted for 14.70/1000 live births, and of these, 22.9% were immature products, 50.2% premature, and 26.9% were full term babies. 62.50% of total number of deaths occurred within 24 hours of life, and 37.50% after 24 hours of life. Compared to other industrialized countries these infant mortality rates are still very high; they are, however, a great improvement over mortality rates in Mexico as measured a few years ago.
