Causes of perinatal mortality at Javaheri hospital during a 7- year period 1996-2003

Perinatal mortality rate is an important health index of a society. Recognizing effective factors influencing perinatal mortality rate and promoting maternal knowledge about the importance of prenatal care during pregnancy could significantly reduce the perinatal mortality rate. This study was performed to determine the frequency and causes of perinatal mortality at Javaheri hospital during a 7-year period, 1996-2003. This cross sectional study was performed on 85 cases of fetal or neonatal mortality from 20 weeks of gestation to 7 days after births, during a 7- year period. Data analysis was achieved by SPSS software. The most common causes of perinatal mortality were congenital anomalies, severe prematurity and asphyxia. 53% were IUFD and 47% died after birth, mostly during 24 hours after delivery. Totally, 86% of perinatal mortalities were due to prematurity. The most common causes of death in IUFD were congenital anomalies and asphyxia, however, after birth, severe prematurity, RDS and congenital anomalies were the most common causes of death. Preventing premature delivery and LBW infants are the most effective preventive strategies to reduce perinatal mortality rate. Meanwhile, sufficient prenatal care, identifying and following up the high risk pregnancies and presence of neonatal intensive care units could be effective in decreasing perinatal mortality rate.