RESUMO
PIP: A comparative study on the gestational, neonatal, and perinatal death rates between September 1979-August 1980 and September 1980-August 1981 at the University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria was conducted. A significant difference was found between these 2 periods with regard to gestational and perinatal death rates. There were more deaths, gestational and neonatal, in fetuses less thann 38 weeks gestation. The majority of neonatal deaths occurred within 72 hours after birth (75.0%). Apgar scores of 7 at the 1st and 5th minutes were registered for 70.3 and 59.5% of the infants, respectively. Autopsy was not performed in the 1st study period while 70.0% of the cases in the 2nd period were examined postmortem. The number of perinatal deaths from those among the previous controls was significantly lower than from those patients otherwise treated. The increase in the number of outpatient cases, the adoption of new routines, as well as the reformulation of existing ones, the purchase of equipment to better evaluate fetal well-being, as well as other changes during the 2nd phase, are responsible for the lowering of perinatal mortality. (author's modified)^ieng
