Wessex perinatal mortality survey 1982.

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Medicine
• Neonatalogy
• Public Health

Background:

• Perinatal mortality remains a significant concern in developed regions.
• Understanding the causes of perinatal death is essential for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the causes and contributing factors of perinatal deaths in the Wessex region.
• To identify areas for improvement in antenatal supervision and neonatal care.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective survey of 335 perinatal deaths in the Wessex region.
• Classification of deaths by malformations, timing (antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum), and infant weight.
• Analysis of maternal pregnancy complications and predisposing factors.

Main Results:

• Perinatal mortality rate was 10.1 per 1000 births.
• Lethal malformations caused 24% of deaths; 49% of normally formed infants died antenatally, 13% intrapartum.
• Over 60% of stillbirths exceeded 1500g; postpartum deaths often linked to labor complications and hypoxia.
• Maternal complications affected 50% of mothers; 185 neonatal deaths occurred, with congenital abnormalities in 46% of late neonatal deaths.

Conclusions:

• Significant proportions of perinatal deaths are attributable to malformations and complications of pregnancy and labor.
• Enhanced antenatal supervision, fetal distress monitoring, and improved early neonatal care are vital for reducing perinatal mortality.