Investigation of Regional Perinatal Mortality Rate and Causes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study is to recognize the perinatal mortality rate and the vital causes of perinatal mortality to ascertain the significant maternal elements for a safe birth. A retrospective study was carried out in three large tertiary hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the period from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2015. All perinatal deaths happening during that time were analyzed. During the six-year review period, a total of 280 infant deaths were recorded with a perinatal mortality rate (PMR) of 6.6 per 1000 births. The principal causes of death among the deceased were low birth weight (LBW) (87%), lethal congenital malformation (CM) (4%), sepsis (3%), and respiratory arrest (3%). The PMR was high in 2010 at 6.8, while it declined to 6.4 at the end of the period studied. The average PMR recorded in this study was 6.6 per 1000 births. This study showed that low birth weight is the main reason for prenatal mortality, although the PMR did decline by the end of the period. A decrease in the perinatal death rate is viable when all females start to attend preconception counselling and are present at antenatal health centres.