Abstract
Objective
To determine the frequency and risk factors of perinatal death in women attending
Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan..
Methods
This retrospective study was carried out at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad from
January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007, and all still births and early neonatal deaths from
record books of labour room and operation theatre were recorded. The fetal out come in
terms of weight, maturity and gross congenital anomalies were noted. The cause of death
was assessed in each case. Data was analyzed on SPSS 11.0
Results
Out of 2778 total births during the study period, 2576 were live births, 157 were still
births and 45 were early neonatal deaths (ENNDs). Perinatal mortality rate was 72.7%.
512 babies weighed <2.5 kg, out of which 128 had perinatal deaths (PND). 2150 babies
were of 2.6-4 kg, among them 72 had PND. Out of 548 births which occurred before 37
weeks, 117 had PND; among them, 98 deaths occurred in babies delivered before 32
weeks. Immaturity was the most common cause for PND followed by fetal distress and
congenital abnormality. Among total number of women, 1892 were unbooked and
remaining had 3 or more antenatal visits. Higher numbers (185) of PND were observed in
unbooked women. 117 women whose babies had PND belonged to rural areas. Anemia
was the most common risk factor in these women followed by obstructed labor and
abruptio placentae.
Conclusion
Perinatal mortality was high in our study. Most of the women in our study were
unbooked and belonged to rural areas, where basic facilities for health are not available.
Women had no proper antenatal visits as well as referral was late. (Rawal Med J 2009;34:
).

Key words: Still birth, perinatal death, early neonatal death.