Asma Shabbir, Samiya Naeemujlah.
Prematurity: a major contributor to perinatal mortality.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;10(2):78-81.

Background: Perinatal mortality is the index of the available obstetric and perinatal services in a community concerned. There is limited available data regarding perinatal mortality in Pakistan. A study was conducted to assess the contribution of prematurity to perinatal mortality. Methods: At Paediatrics Department, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. 200 perinatal deaths were analysed between October 2002 and March 2003. The percentage contribution of prematurity was determined. Results: There were 105 (52.5%) stillbirths and 95 (47.5%) early neonatal deaths. Out of 105 stillbirths 56% were premature, and out of 95 early neonatal deaths 69.47% contributed to prematurity thus leading to 63% contribution of prematurity to the perinatal mortality. Conclusion: Prematurity appears to be the major determinant of perinatal mortality in our set up requiring the need to upgrade the neonatal intensive care.

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