Perinatal mortality

Causes

When it comes to perinatal mortality, preterm birth is the primary cause, responsible for nearly three in ten neonatal deaths. The main reason preterm infants die is infant respiratory distress syndrome, which occurs in about 1% of newborns. Birth defects account for roughly 21% of neonatal deaths. Additional factors include maternal illnesses, pelvic conditions like endometriosis or ovarian tumors, uterine or cervical abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, blood type incompatibilities, poor nutrition, pregnancy toxemias, antepartum hemorrhage, congenital anomalies, and older maternal age.

Neonatal mortality

When a baby is born alive but dies before reaching 28 days old, that is neonatal mortality. Deaths in the first week of life are called early neonatal mortality, while those occurring after day seven but before day 28 are late neonatal mortality.

Perinatal mortality is sometimes defined using only early neonatal deaths. The level of hospital care for newborns influences neonatal mortality statistics. Together, neonatal and postneonatal deaths make up the infant mortality rate.

Did You Know?

• Fetal mortality refers to stillbirths or fetal death after 20 weeks of gestation or 500 gm.
• Probiotic supplementation of preterm and low birthweight babies during their first month can reduce the risk of blood infections, bowel sickness, and death in low- and middle-income settings.
• Supplementing with Vitamin A does not reduce the risk of death and increases the risk of bulging fontanelle.