Trends of perinatal deaths at Ramathibodi Hospital: 1995-2005.

OBJECTIVE To study the trends in perinatal mortality rate and causes of perinatal deaths at Ramathibodi Hospital from 1995 to 2005. DESIGN Retrospective descriptive study. MATERIAL AND METHOD Review of medical records and reports during academic activities. RESULTS The perinatal mortality rate was 5.10 per 1,000 births. Stillbirth and early neonatal death rate were 3.45 and 1.65 per 1,000 births, respectively. The most common cause of death was macerated fetus (46.80%). Causes of death from congenital anomalies, immaturity, asphyxia and specific conditions were 20.89%, 9.47%, 8.08% and 14.76%, respectively. CONCLUSION The perinatal mortality rate at Ramathibodi Hospital has declined from 6.70 in 1985 to 5.10 per 1,000 births and remained steady for the last 11 years. Future progress in reducing perinatal deaths requires better understanding of the etiology of stillbirth to improve the strategies for prevention.