[Perinatal mortality at University Hospital Mostar for five years]

The aim of this study was to present the trend of the rates of perinatal mortality at the University hospital Mostar in the period from 1999 to 2003 and to determine risk factors of perinatal mortality.

Observed group was formed by 110 pregnant women whose infants died in perinatal period at University hospital Mostar in the period from 1999 to 2003 and control group by 107 pregnant women, the same parity and age, whose infants didn't die in perinatal period. The groups were compared acccording to available parameters which determine perinatal outcome. We determined risk factors of perinatal mortality by using case-control study.

Mean of perinatal mortality at University hospital Mostar in the observed five year period was 14,71%, range 8,88-19,1%o. A significantly higher number of premature labor (ten times higher), twin pregnancy (p=0.005; chi2 = 7.76), placental abruption (p<0.001; chi2 = 13.84), preeclampsia (p=0.027; chi2 = 4.891), placental insufficiency (p= 0.002; chi2 =9.395), metrorrhagia (p=0.007; chi2 = 7.237), fetal growth restriction (p=0.007; chi2 = 7.237), fetal asphyxia (p=0.017; chi2 = 5.683), true knots in the umbilical cord (p=0.024; chi2 = 5.12) and congenital malformations of fetus (p=0.024; chi2 = 5.12) were in the observed group than in control. 68,04% of all infants which died in perinatal period were premature babies.

Rate of perinatal mortality at the University hospital Mostar is unacceptable high and doesn't show clear tendency of decreasing in observed period. In order to decrease perinatal mortality rate it is necessary to improve the organization and quality of perinatal care and start with regionalisation and establishing tertiary centers on state level.