Risk factors for perinatal death in Cape Verde

Risk factors for perinatal death in the Cape Verde islands were assessed among 104 bereaved mothers and 292 mothers of surviving infants in an area-based case-control study in 1992-93. Prospectively gathered information on risk factors was obtained from medical records supplemented with post-partum interviews and anthropometric measurements of mothers and infants. No autopsies were performed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied. Out of 23 alleged maternal and two alleged infant risk factors, the following seven proved significantly and independently correlated with perinatal death: first pregnancy (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9); previous hypertensive disease (OR = 4.2); previous perinatal death (OR = 4.6); pre-eclampsia (OR = 7.0); non-cephalic fetal presentation (OR = 17.1); male infant (OR = 2.1) and maternal post-partum fever (OR = 3.1). The perinatal mortality rate was calculated as 37-46/1000 total births. A reduction in the mortality rate warrants antenatal and obstetric care with emphasis on primiparous women; improved detection and treatment of hypertensive disorders and genital infections; and improved intrapartum fetal observation and resuscitation routines.