Perinatal and neonatal mortality and morbidity in Lusaka, 1976

A prospective study of perinatal and neonatal mortality and morbidity at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Lusaka for 1976 is presented. The early neonatal mortality of the babies born in hospital was 28.7 per 1000 live-births; it was 239.96 per 1000 admissions of those born outside the hospital. The still-birth rate in the hospital-born babies was 25.2 per 1000 deliveries; the perinatal mortality was 53.3 per 1000 deliveries; and the neonatal mortality in the hospital-born was 31.1 per 1000 live-births. The cause of death were asphyxia, infections could injury, respiratory distress syndrome, congenital malformation and intracranial haemmorrhage. If the perinatal and neonatal mortality and morbidity are to be reduced, much effort and co-operation of all concerned with the health of the expectant mother, and her child are required. Records of birth-weights, stillbirth, and causes of deaths in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for the year 1976 have been analysed. The aim is to provide a basis for future comparisons and improvement of the care given to newborns.