[Perinatal care in Knin in the immediate postwar period]

By analysis of data from maternity department in Knin General Hospital for the period 1995-1999, the results of perinatal, fetal and early neonatal mortality, newborns according to birth-weight, ecclampsia frequency, cesarean sections, vacuum extractions, antenatal care and equipment of maternity department are presented. Perinatal mortality in 1997 was 7.7@1000, and in other years there were no dead infants. There was no maternal mortality. According to birth-weight, 2.7% of newborns weighted under 2500 g, 85.3% weighted between 2500-3999 g, and 12.1% weighted > or = 4000 g. Analysis by years showed no differences except for 1995, which was caused by low number of births, and increased transport to more equipped obstetric and neonatal care centres. Ecclampsia was registered in 2 cases--2.1@1000. The number of antenatal visits was continuously increasing for all those years, and in 1999 there were no unexamined pregnant women; 19.8% had 1-2 visits, and 23.9% more than 8. In 1995 there were 20.2% of pregnant women without ultrasound examination, while in 1999 there was none. In the period 1995-1999, the number of pregnant women with 2 and 3 ultrasounds increased, and 2.2-6.7% had over 4. Cesarean sections were continuously increasing and in last 5 years the rate rose from 2.6% to 5.8% of deliveries in 1999. Vacuum extractions were most frequent in 1997, 0.8%. It is emphasized that perinatal mortality decreased in the maternity department in Knin for all those years to 2.08@1000. Cardiotocographic surveillance during labour was practiced in over 90% of bearing women.