Perinatal morbidity and mortality in a regional perinatal network

A study of pregnancy outcome was performed using a 1982-1985 regional network database of 60,456 infants. The perinatal mortality rate was 15.6 deaths per 1,000 births (total, 942), while the antepartum, intrapartum and neonatal mortality rates were 5.3, 1.6 and 8.7, respectively. Seven hundred forty-three multiple gestation pregnancies (1.2%) and 1,632 major congenital anomalies (2.7%) were identified. The corrected perinatal mortality rate was 13.8 deaths per 1,000 births. This study revealed that prematurity, postdatism, congenital anomalies, low Apgar scores and neonatal complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, pneumothorax, persistent fetal circulation, intracerebral hemorrhage and seizure activity, were major factors contributing to mortality. This analysis suggests that a further reduction in mortality should follow a reduction in preterm deliveries and their sequelae and the early identification and management of maternal and fetal antenatal complications.