Audit of perinatal mortality at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To determine the perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) and its causes. Materials and Methods: An audit of all births was conducted from January 2010 – December 2010 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 1 of JPMC, Karachi. All stillbirths from 28 weeks of pregnancy and neonatal deaths within first seven days of life in the hospital either in the obstetric ward or in the neonatal nursery were recorded. Aberdeen (Obstetric) classification of perinatal deaths was applied in the audit for classification of perinatal causes. Results: From 1st January to 31st December 2010, there were 7537 deliveries and 453 perinatal deaths. Four hundred and seven babies were still born while 46 died within 7 days of birth. The perinatal mortality rate was 60.1/1000 total births and still birth rate was 54.0/1000 total births. The leading cause of perinatal deaths was antepartum hemorrhage 140(30.9%). This included abruption of placenta 97 (21.4%) and placenta previa 43 (9.4%). The next common cause was mechanical accounted for 95 (21.0%). Hypertensive disorder of mother was responsible for 94 (20.8%) of perinatal deaths. Congenital malformation caused deaths in 39 (8.6%) cases. Low birth weight was identified in 37(8.1%) maternal medical disorder as jaundice, anaemia and diabetes were responsible for 17 (3.7%) and neonatal infection such as respiratory disorders and septicemia caused deaths in 3 (0.6%) of cases. Conclusion: Perinatal Mortality Rate in 2010 at JPMC was 60.1/1000 total births with leading cause of antepartum hemorrhage.