[Perinatal mortality in the Hospital Juarez, S.S.A]

A retrospective analysis on perinatal mortality was carried out at "Hospital Juárez" in México City, between June 1975 and May 1976. The collected data shows a gross perinatal mortality rate of 89.7 per one thousand live borns with a late fetal mortality rate of 33.1 and early mortality rate of 56.6. A prospective study was planned in order to record the perinatal mortality rate between June the first 1976, to May 31, 1977 showing a perinatal mortality rate of 60.8, with a late fetal mortality rate of 25.4 and early neonatal mortality rate of 35.4. The significant decrease in the rate of perinatal mortality could be the result of an accurate perinatal clinical history, specifically designed for such purpose, allowing a better supervision of the pregnant mother, the fetus and the newborn, which permitted to disclose many diagnoses that otherwise would not be obtained and this also contributted to the establishment of better opportunities for treatment. Besides the establishment of routine practices in the handling of newborns, the better relationships between pediatrician and obstetrician and the redistribution of medical and nursing personnel in critical areas, allowed a better perinatal attention. The relationships between perinatal mortality with maternal age and number of pregnancies and the relationships between neonatal mortality with birth weight and gestational age are presented. The factors that have favored the high rates of perinatal mortality in this hospital are also reviewed and corrective measures are proposed.