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An analysis of stillbirths and neonatal deaths chiefly based upon autopsy findings during the period from Jan 1, 1959, through August 31, 1962(for 3 years and 8 months) was undertaken on the obstetric ward of the NMC. There were 3,059 deliveries with 49 cases of twin births. Therefore, total number of bieths were 3,108 and of these 3,019 were livebirths. The total number of perinatal mortality was 138. But as the charts of 6 cases were missing, only 132 cases were available to study. There were 89 stillbirths and 42 neonatal deaths. The perinatal mortality mortality index was 44.4 per 1,000 deliveries, purpose of presenting this study are: 1) to investigate perinatal mortalily in NMC. 2) to determine the causes of perinatal death and point out preventable factors. 3) to improve prenatal, obstetrical and early postnatal care, in order to reduce further the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths. The major causes of death were reviewed and tubulated. The majority of perinatal death is directly related to maternal complications. Almost half of the cases (48.5%) were associated with anoxia from abruptio were encountered most ferquently. Prematurity was a factor in 61% of perinatal deaths, and prematurity with its associated conditions accounted for two thirds of the deaths. Forty-seven cases(35.6%) of perinatal death were judged to have been preventable. Had they been prevented, the perinatal mortalty rate would have been reduced from 44.4 to 28.6. Even if it is most likely that not all of these babies could have been salvaged, it was felt that in many of these cases the outcom would have been much better if the patients could be given competent medical care from the very moment the complication started. in many cases the patients(unregistered) condition had previously been neglected, so they had to be brought to the hospital as an emergency case when serious complication developed. Unregistered cases ; 87(65.9%) Registered cases ; 45(34.1%) In oder to reduce the perinatal mortality I would like to stress the importance of conscientious prenatal care. Further still much research is needed in the many field of medicine which are related to the perinatal mortality problem. If the interest for these problems could be stimulated among the medical persons handling pregnant women, much improvement might be expected.
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