CLINICOP ATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF CAUSES OF PERINATAL DEATH

The perinatal mortality rates and causes of deaths in our hospital within the three 5-year periods (1955-1959, 1976-1980, 1981-1985) were reported as well as the total number of births (16,846), deaths (457), and autopsies (393, autopsy rate 85.9%). The perinatal mortality for the three 5-year periods was 44.5%, 23.8%, and 17.2% respectively; it declined more significantly in 1981-1985 than in 1976-1980. Anoxia was the first cause of death for the three 5-year periods. Other causes in sequence in 1955-1959 were traumatic intracranial hemorrhage and pulmonary diseases, in 1976-1980 malformation and pulmonary diseases, and in 1981-1985 anoxia, pulmonary diseases and hyaline membrane disease. Results suggest that accurate analysis of causes of deaths depends on meticulous systematic fetal and neonatal autopsy, including macerated fetuses, extensive discussion by pathologists, obstetricians and neonatalogists, and indispensable placental examination.     

Two year audit of perinatal mortality at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital.

Introduction: Perinatal mortality rate is a sensitive indicator of quality of care provided to women in pregnancy, at and after child birth and to the newborns in the first week of life. Regular perinatal audit would help in identifying all the factors that play a role in causing perinatal deaths and thus help in appropriate interventions to reduce avoidable perinatal deaths. Aims and objectives: This study was carried out to determine perinatal mortality rate (PMR) and the factors responsible for perinatal deaths at KMCTH in the two year period from November 2003 to October 2005 (Kartik 2060 B.S. to Ashoj 2062). Methodology: This is a prospective study of all the still births and early neonatal deaths in KMCTH during the two year period from November 2003 to October 2005. Details of each perinatal death were filled in the standard perinatal death audit forms of the Department of Pediatrics, KMCTH. Perinatal deaths were analyzed according to maternal characteristics like maternal age, parity, type of delivery and fetal characteristics like sex, birth weight and gestational age and classify neonatal deaths according to Wigglesworth's classification and comparison made with earlier similar study. Results: Out of the 1517 total births in the two year period, 22 were still births (SB) and 10 were early neonatal deaths (ENND). Out of the 22 SB, two were of < 1 kg in weight and out of 10 ENND, one was of <1 kg. Thus, perinatal mortality rate during the study period was 19.1 and extended perinatal mortality rate was 21.1 per 1000 births. The important causes of perinatal deaths were extreme prematurity, birth asphyxia, congenital anomalies and associated maternal factors like antepartum hemorrhage and most babies were of very low birth weight. According to Wigglesworth's classification, 43.8% of perinatal deaths were in Group I, 12.5% in Group II, 28.1% in Group III, 12.5% in Group IV and 12.5% in Group V. Discussion: The perinatal death audit done in KMCTH for 1 year period from September 2002 to August 2003 showed perinatal mortality rate of 30.7 and extended perinatal mortality rate of 47.9 per 1000 births. There has been a significant reduction in the perinatal mortality rate in the last 2 years at KMCTH. Main reasons for improvement in perinatal mortality rate were improvement in care of both the mothers and the newborns and the number of births have also increased significantly in the last 2 years without appropriate increase in perinatal deaths. Conclusion: Good and regular antenatal care, good care at the time of birth including appropriate and timely intervention and proper care of the sick neonates are important in reducing perinatal deaths. Prevention of preterm births, better care and monitoring during the intranatal period and intensive care of low birth weight babies would help in further reducing perinatal deaths. Key words: Perinatal mortality rate (PMR), still births, early neonatal death (ENND), Total perinatal death (PND).     

INCREASING CAESAREAN SECTION AND PERINATAL OUTCOME

An analysis of births by caesarean sections for ten years at a service hospital was carried out to identify the benefit in terms of reduction in perinatal mortality over the period without increase in maternal mortality and morbidity. An increase of 43.25 per cent in caesarean section rate was observed. Since 1986 there had been no significant change in the indications for caesarean sections or obstetrical care in terms of man and machine modernisation at this hospital. New born''s care in this hospital is supervised by obstetrician and medical specialist. However, a definite reduction in perinatal mortality rate by 59.68 per cent was noted with no maternal mortality in caesarean cases. This retrospective study showed that the judicious increase of caesarean sections could improve perinatal outcome.KEY WORDS: Perinatal mortality in caesarean section, Perinatal outcome with increased caesarean section rate     

Caesarean section in Malawi: preventable factors in maternal and perinatal mortality

Objectives

To examine factors that may influence maternal and perinatal mortality associated with caesarean section in an African country.

Design

A prospective observational study, conducted between January 1998 and June 2000, of 8070 caesarean sections.

Setting

25 district and 2 central hospitals in Malawi.Main outcome measures. Association between hospital type, ward or operative care, training of surgical and anaesthesia personnel, preoperative complications, method of anaesthesia, blood loss and anaesthetic technique on maternal and perinatal mortality.

Results

Questionnaires were returned for 5236 caesarean sections in district and 2834 in central hospitals. 95% were emergencies, 65% for obstructed labour. Pre-operative haemorrhagic shock was present in 7.6% of women, anaemia in 6.2% and ruptured uterus in 4.1%. Previous caesarean section did not appear to predispose to ruptured uterus. There were 85 maternal deaths (1.05% mortality), 65 of which occurred postoperatively on the wards. Maternal mortality was increased with ruptured uterus (adjusted odds ratio 3.9, 95% CI 2.3–6.5), little anaesthetic training (2.3, 1.3 to 4.1) and blood loss requiring transfusion (19.3, 9–41). In mothers without preoperative haemorrhage spinal anaesthesia was associated with lower maternal mortality than general anaesthesia (0.23, 0.1–0.7). Perinatal mortality was 11.2% overall, and was significantly associated with ruptured uterus, halothane and ketamine anaesthesia.

Conclusion

Maternal and perinatal mortality rates among women undergoing caesarean section in Malawi are high. Improving resuscitation in postoperative wards might reduce maternal mortality. Blood loss and pre-operative complications are both strongly associated with mortality. Spinal anaesthesia was associated with good outcome.     

Maternal health services and maternal mortality in Papua New Guinea

Surveys of maternal mortality rates in rural areas of Papua New Guinea over the past thirty years report 2-18 deaths per 1000 live births. The national maternal mortality register commenced in 1970 and reports rates of 2-7/1000 deaths for urban areas and 7-20/1000 deaths for rural areas. However, less than a quarter of maternal deaths are believed to be reported to the register: most of the unreported deaths are unsupervised confinements. Nevertheless obstetrical causes now account for 20% of total admissions to hospital and health centres in Papua New Guinea, and are the commonest causes of admission. The great majority of obstetrical admissions come from urban and periurban areas. Most rural women continue to confine at home where only a small fraction of maternal deaths are reported. It is as yet unclear whether modern health services have made any impact on rural maternal mortality rates. A plea is made for more complete reporting of maternal deaths to the national register of both supervised and unsupervised confinements.     

2000～2004年山西省神经管缺陷的动态监测

目的利用2000-01~2004-12期间山西省出生缺陷监测网收集的资料,描述围产儿无脑、脊柱裂和脑膨出3种神经管缺陷(NTDs)的流行病学特征及其动态变化趋势。方法采用以医院为基础的监测方法收集资料。调查对象为孕28周至产后7 d住院分娩的围产儿,包括活产、死胎和死产。结果共收集围产儿130 783例;神经管缺陷儿730例。围产儿NTDs总发生率为49.77/万,其中无脑、脊柱裂和脑膨出的发生率分别为19.19/万、28.67/万和7.95/万。总的NTDs和无脑畸形年度发生率呈下降趋势。男性NTDs发生率为42.60/万,女性为70.05/万,城市为26.03/万,农村为105.83/万,母龄别发生率在<20岁和>35岁组高于其他年龄组。NTDs围产儿早产占65.07%,低出生体重占56.85%,围产期病死率为81.57%。结论山西省围产儿总NTDs发生率及无脑发生率呈下降趋势;无脑及神经管缺陷(NTDS)发生率女性均高于男性;无脑、脊柱裂、脑膨出及神经管缺陷(NTDS)发生率农村高于城市;神经管缺陷儿出生素质差,围产期病死率高,预后不良。加强预防和产前诊断是降低神经管缺陷发生率的有效措施。     

Perinatal mortality and morbidity in caesarean section

The study was conducted on 350 babies born by caesarean section. There were 29 perinatal deaths among 350 births giving a gross perinatal mortality rate of 8.3 per 1000 live births. Corrected perinatal mortality rate was 7.1%. The stillbirth rate was 2%. It was high for cases of abruptio placentae, transverse lie and cord prolapse. Septicaemia was the commonest cause of perinatal death followed by asphyxia and prematurity. Birth weight played an important role in the survival of babies. There was no foetal loss among babies in weight group of 3501-4000 g. Perinatal morbidity was mainly due to asphyxia, septicaemia, prematurity and cord infection.     

Mortality rates and the utilization of health services during terminal illness in the Asaro Valley, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Between 1980 and 1989 we carried out fortnightly demographic surveillance in a random sample of people living in Goroka town, periurban areas and rural areas in the Lowa and Asaro Census Divisions, all within 1 1/2 hours' drive of the town in the Asaro Valley, Eastern Highlands Province. Cause of death was determined by verbal autopsy supplemented by any available health service information. Crude death and birth rates were 10 and 32 per 1000 person-years, respectively, in 59,906 person-years at risk. The standardized mortality ratio increased with increasing distance from town. Life expectancy at birth was 57 years for males and 55 years for females. The stillbirth rate was 19 per 1000 births, neonatal and infant mortality 21 and 60 per 1000 livebirths, respectively, and 1-4-year mortality 9 per 1000 person-years. Maternal mortality was 3 per 1000 births. Neonatal and infant mortality were respectively 7 and 3 times as high in Asaro Census Division as in Goroka town. Acute lower respiratory tract infections accounted for 22% of all deaths, chronic obstructive lung disease 10%, trauma 8% and gastroenteritis/dysentery 7%. 76% of deaths occurred at home and 44% of people who died had no treatment during their terminal illness. Health services were used most frequently by urban dwellers and by the young. To reduce mortality, a political commitment to provide functioning health services in rural areas is needed; regular supervision of health staff, ensuring the safety of staff and their families, availability of antibiotics as near people's homes as possible and regular mobile maternal and child health clinics are essential. Health education should include recognition of signs of severe disease and the importance of seeking treatment early. In view of high maternal and neonatal mortality, user fees should be waived for pregnant women.     

妊娠伴有心脏病的分娩时间及方式探讨

近十五年来我院收治妊娠伴有心脏病４１例，１０例发生心衰，发生率为２４％，其中２例发生在１０～２４孕周，其余８例发生在３０～４０周，剖宫产１９例，占４６％，无一例围产儿或产妇死亡。     

A community based study of Infant Mortality in rural Aligarh

Background

Infant mortality rate is regarded as an important and sensitive indicator of the health status of a community. It also reflects the living standard of the people and the effectiveness of interventions for improving maternal and child health. Multiple factors related to social and economic conditions, health care and environment have a significant role to play on childhood mortality and improving childhood mortality is a national priority. The present study was planned to 1) determine the mortality rate among neonates and infants. 2) identification of pattern of various factors in relation to infant mortality and 3) to identify the causes of death in this age group.

Method

All the deaths in children under 12 months during July 2005 to June 2006 in Jawan block of district Aligarh, India were recorded. The cause of death was ascertained using the standard verbal autopsy procedure.

Results

In the study period, 446 live births and 37 deaths in children under one year of age were reported. The neonatal and infant mortality rates were 49.4 and 83.0 per thousand live births respectively. The main causes of infant deaths were birth asphyxia, diarrhoea, pneumonia, prematurity (including Low birth weight and malnutrition).

Conclusion

Most of the death among infants are preventable, though promotion of institutional deliveries, strengthening of referral system, early recognition of danger signs and periodic retraining of health workers.     

A 12-month prospective survey of perinatal outcome of liveborn neonates in Julu County, China

Background Population based epidemiologic study on the main diseases and birth status of liveborn neonates remains scarce in China, especially in rural areas where a large number of neonates are born. The aim of this study was to establish an epidemiological basis of live births in Julu County, a representative of the northern and mid-western parts of China in terms of demography, disease pattern and women and children＇s health care infrastructure.Methods The perinatal data of all live births were prospectively collected in three participating county-level hospitals from September 1, 2007 to August 30, 2008.Results There were 5822 live births in these hospitals. Among all live births, 53.7% were male and 4.5% were bornprematurely. Mean （SD） birth weight （BW） was （3348±503） g. The low （〈2500 g） and very low BW （〈1500 g） infants accounted for 3.8% and 0.5% of the total births, with 6.5% as small for gestational age and 2.8% as multi-births.Cesarean section rate was 30.2%, of which 68.6% were elective. There were 745 infants （12.8% of the live births）admitted to local neonatal wards within 7 days of postnatal life, in which 48.3% and 19.3% were due to perinatal asphyxia and prematurity, respectively. The incidences of perinatal aspiration syndrome, transient tachypnea and respiratory distress syndrome were 4.9%, 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Neonatal mortality was 7.6%. （44/5822）, with 16 in delivery room and 28 in neonatal ward before discharge.Conclusions This study provided a population-based perinatal data of live births and neonatal mortality in a northern China county with limited resources. Neonatal disorders related to perinatal asphyxia remain a serious clinical problem,which calls for sustained education of advanced neonatal resuscitation and improvement in the quality of perinatal-neonatal care.     

Long-Stay Patients in Canadian Mental Hospitals, 1955-1963

Changes in the number and characteristics of patients in Canadian mental hospitals during 1955-1963 were studied in order to assess the future need for long-term hospital care.

Despite marked increases in the number of first admissions and readmissions, the average number of patients in hospital decreased 6% from 49,537 in 1955 to 46,498 in 1963.

Patients who were “long stay” in 1955 continued to leave hospital at the same rate during the years 1960-1963 as during 1955-1959. No “hard core” of long-stay patients with reduced potential for discharge seemed to have formed by 1963.

Since 1955 the number of “admissions” remaining continuously hospitalized has progressively decreased for the elderly and for patients with psychoses. No build-up of new long-stay patients from patients with repeated short admissions was evident.

The estimate of the Royal Commission on Health Services that the ratio of patients in mental hospitals could be reduced from 3.0 per 1000 in 1961 to 1.5 per 1000 by 1971 seems feasible.

     

Causes of maternal mortality in Japan

CONTEXT: Japan's maternal mortality rate is higher than that of other developed countries. OBJECTIVES: To identify causes of maternal mortality in Japan, examine attributes of treating facilities associated with maternal mortality, and assess the preventability of such deaths. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study of maternal deaths occurring in Japan between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1992. SUBJECTS: Of 230 women who died while pregnant or within 42 days of being pregnant, 197 died in a hospital and had medical records available, 22 died outside of a medical facility, and 11 did not have records available. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal mortality rates per 100,000 live births by cause (identified by death certificate review and information from treating physicians or coroners); resources and staffing patterns of facilities where deaths occurred; and preventability of death, as determined by a 42-member panel of medical specialists. RESULTS: Overall maternal mortality was 9.5 per 100,000 births. Hemorrhage was the most common cause of death, occurring in 86 (39%) of 219 women. Seventy-two (37%) of 197 deaths occurring in facilities were deemed preventable and another 32 (16%) possibly preventable. Among deaths that occurred in a medical facility with an obstetrician on duty, the highest rate of preventable deaths (4.09/100,000 live births) occurred in facilities with 1 obstetrician. Among the 72 preventable deaths, 49 were attributed to 1 physician functioning as the obstetrician and anesthetist. While the unpreventable maternal death rate was highest in referral facilities, the preventable maternal death rate was 14 times lower in referral facilities than in transferring facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate obstetric services are associated with maternal mortality in Japan. Reducing single-obstetrician only delivery patterns and establishing regional 24-hour inpatient obstetrics facilities for high-risk cases may reduce maternal mortality in Japan. JAMA. 2000;283:2661-2667.     

An evaluation of poor pregnancy outcomes among Burundian refugees in Tanzania

CONTEXT: Little is known about pregnancy outcomes among the approximately 11 million refugees worldwide, 25% of whom are women of reproductive age. OBJECTIVE: To estimate incidence of and determine risk factors for poor pregnancy outcomes and to calculate the contribution of mortality from neonatal and maternal deaths to overall mortality in a refugee camp. DESIGN: Cross-sectional review of records and survey, conducted in February and March 1998. SETTING: Mtendeli refugee camp, Tanzania. PARTICIPANTS: For the overall assessment, 664 Burundi women who had a pregnancy outcome during a recent 5-month period (September 1, 1997-January 31, 1998) and their 679 infants; 538 women (81%) completed the survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of fetal death (fetus born > or =500 g or > or =22 weeks' gestation with no signs of life), low birth weight (<2500 g), neonatal death (death <28 days of life), and maternal death (deaths during or within 42 days of pregnancy from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management). RESULTS: The fetal death rate was 45.6 per 1000 births, the neonatal mortality rate was 29.3 per 1000 live births, and 22.4% of all live births were low birth weight. Compared with women without poor pregnancy outcome, those with poor pregnancy outcome were more likely to report prior high socioeconomic status (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.4), having a first or second pregnancy (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4-3.4), and having 3 or more episodes of malaria during pregnancy (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4-3.1). Neonatal and maternal deaths accounted for 16% of all deaths during the period studied. CONCLUSIONS: Poor pregnancy outcomes were common in this refugee setting, and neonatal and maternal deaths, 2 important components of reproductive health-related deaths, contributed substantially to overall mortality.     

体外受精-胚胎移植术后妊娠的系统管理及结局

目的　探讨体外受精 胚胎移植术 (IVF ET)后妊娠的系统管理方法及其对妊娠结局的影响。方法　回顾性分析在我院生殖医学中心行IVF ET、单精子卵胞浆内注射术 (ICSI)、冻融胚胎移植技术 (FET)的 374个妊娠周期的结局、围产儿情况及其管理方法。结果　 374个妊娠周期中 ,生化妊娠 19例 (5 .0 8% ) ,临床妊娠35 5例 (94 .92 % )。继续妊娠 85例。失访 11例 ,失访率为 3.10 %。流产 5 8例 ,流产率为 16 .34% ;宫外孕 11例 ,占 3.10 % ;宫内外同时妊娠 6例 ,占 1.6 9%。分娩 190例 ,其中多胎分娩 6 9例 ,占 36 .32 %。早产 6 5例 ,占34.2 1%。出生新生儿 2 5 9例 ,其中早产儿 10 9例 ,占 4 2 .0 8%。新生儿死亡 2例 ,占 0 .77%。死胎 4例 ,占1.5 2 %。新生儿畸形 3例 ,占 1.16 %。与在外院分娩者比较 ,于我院检查、分娩的妇女在流产、宫外孕、宫内外同时妊娠方面的差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;在多胎分娩、妊娠高血压综合征、低体重儿方面的差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。我院未发生孕产妇死亡、死胎及新生儿死亡。结论　建立完善的定期跟踪随访制度 ,加强围产保健 ,严密监护、积极治疗 ,可有利于保证IVF ET术后妊娠妇女的健康及改善围产儿的预后。     

Effect of delivery care user fee exemption policy on institutional maternal deaths in the central and volta regions of ghana

Summary BACKGROUND: To improve access to skilled attendance at delivery and thereby reduce maternal mortality, the Government of Ghana introduced a policy exempting all women attending health facilities from paying delivery care fees. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of the exemption policy on delivery-related maternal mortality. METHODS: Maternal deaths in 9 and 12 hospitals in the Central Region (CR) and the Volta Region (VR) respectively were analysed. The study covered a period of 11 and 12 months before and after the introduction of the policy between 2004 and 2006. Maternal deaths were identified by screening registers and clinical notes of all deaths in women aged 15-49 years in all units of the hospitals. These deaths were further screened for those related to delivery. The total births in the study period were also obtained in order to calculate maternal mortality ratios (MMR). RESULTS: A total of 1220 (78.8%) clinical notes of 1549 registered female deaths were retrieved. A total of 334 (21.6%) maternal deaths were identified. The delivery-related MMR decreased from 445 to 381 per 100,000 total births in the CR and from 648 to 391 per 100,000 total births in the VR following the implementation of the policy. The changes in the 2 regions were not statistically significant (p=0.458) and (p=0.052) respectively. No significant changes in mean age of delivery-related deaths, duration of admission and causes of deaths before and after the policy in both regions. CONCLUSION: The delivery-related institutional maternal mortality did not appear to have been significantly affected after about one year of implementation of the policy.     

Maternal mortality at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, 1989 to 1990

An obstetrician examined records of all maternal deaths that occurred in the Chatinkha Maternity Wing of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, during 1989-1990. None of the deaths were caused by conditions unrelated to pregnancy. In 1989 there were 78 maternal deaths out of 14,272 live births (a maternal mortality ratio of 546/100,000 live births). In 1990 there were 73 maternal deaths out of 14,281 live births (a maternal mortality ratio of 511/100,000 live births). In each year, 37 women died directly from complications of pregnancy, delivery, or their management. In 1989, the leading cause of maternal death was postabortal sepsis (15 cases), followed by obstructed labor (8 cases) and puerperal sepsis (6 cases). In 1990, the leading causes were puerperal sepsis (13 cases) and postabortal sepsis (10 cases). The number of HIV-seropositive women among direct maternal deaths was 8 for both years. In 1990, the cesarean section rate was 6.5%. Women who had undergone a cesarean section faced a risk of puerperal sepsis-related death 8.5 times greater than that of women who had delivered vaginally. The 1990 mortality rate among induced abortion cases may have been as high as 8%. There were 41 and 36 indirect maternal deaths in 1989 and 1990, respectively. The leading causes of indirect maternal death were fever (8 cases) and bacterial meningitis (5 cases). The cause could not be determined in 15 cases. By 1990, the leading causes of indirect maternal death were bacterial meningitis (8 cases) and AIDS (6 cases). 5 of the 8 bacterial meningitis cases tested positive for HIV. The 4 patients with tuberculosis and 3 patients with septicemia were HIV positive. 41% and 56% of maternal deaths in 1989 and 1990, respectively, were avoidable. When one excluded uncertain avoidable factors, 21% and 45% of maternal deaths could not be avoided. The leading avoidable factors were deficient hospital care (18 cases), patient's delay (12 cases), and illegal abortion (10 cases) in 1989; they were patient's delay (10 cases) and illegal abortion (8 cases) in 1990.     

我国农村孕产妇死亡的流行病学分析

目的 了解1996～2001年我国农村孕产妇死亡率、趋势、主要死因和变化特征。方法在全国31省、自治区、直辖市孕产妇死亡监测网内采用以人群为基础的流行病学调查方法。结果1996～2001年农村孕产妇死亡率由86．4／10万下降到61．9／10万,下降幅度为28．4％;农村孕产妇主要死亡原因为产科出血、妊娠高血压综合征和羊水栓塞等,产科出血死亡率由1996年的48．3／10万下降到2001年的33．0／10万,农村死亡孕产妇主要在家分娩,2001年在家分娩比例为44．6％,在家死亡的比例为30．1％。结论 1996～2001年农村孕产妇死亡率呈下降趋势,产科出血死亡率也呈下降趋势,降低农村孕产妇死亡率的主要措施是减少产科出血,提高住院分娩率。     

A study of prolonged labour.

Two hundred and three consecutive cases of prolonged labour have been retrospectively reviewed from January 1984 to December 1986. The incidence of prolonged labour was 4.39%. It was noted that 66.5% of the patients with prolonged labour were unbooked emergency admissions, and 73.3% were primipara. The causes of prolonged labour were the occipitoposterior position (10.8%), relative cephalopelvie disproportion (18.2%), uterine dysfunction (44.5%), and in 26.1% an obstructive cause was present. A spontaneous vaginal delivery occurred in 34.4%, a forceps delivery in 22.6% and the caesarean section rate was 29%. The maternal mortality, febrile and non-febrile morbidity were 9.7 per 1000 total births, 42.8% and 17.2% respectively, which showed a direct relation to the duration of labour, and a significant increase in the patients with obstructed labour, and after an abdominal delivery. The corrected perinatal mortality was 165 per 1000 total births, which was also directly related to the duration of labour, and 74.3% of the perinatal deaths occurred in the patients with obstructed labour. The perinatal mortality in the study group was nearly three times higher than the overall hospital group. Neonatal morbidity occurred in 48.8% of the newborns.     

Maternal mortality in British Columbia in 1971-86.

We reviewed the 56 maternal deaths in British Columbia in 1971-78 and 1979-86 identified through the provincial Ministry of Health and compared the findings with data for the two preceding 8-year periods. The maternal death rate, defined as the number of deaths directly or indirectly related to pregnancy or delivery per 100,000 live births, decreased from 42 in 1955-62 to 5 in 1979-86. In the same interval the number of direct obstetric deaths decreased from 100 to 10 and the number of indirect deaths from 29 to 8. The number of deaths due to abortion decreased from 32 to 1. There was no change in the number of deaths among North American Indians. There was also no change in the number of deaths due to hypertension, most of which were avoidable; these findings have stimulated intensive teaching efforts to increase recognition and improve management of the problem. Review of maternal deaths can help identify deficiencies in the quality of care and can direct measures aimed at further reducing the maternal death rate.