The prevalence of stillbirth and infant mortality: Maternal and neonatal factors

Background and Objectives: Neonatal mortality rate is the most important index for assessing health, cultural and economical issuse in each society. This study assessed the prevalence of stillbirth and infant mortality related to maternal and neonatal causes in 1392-1391 at Arak . Materials and Methods: This cross senctional study was conducted using data collected from patient files with stillbirths (dead fetuses older than 20 weeks) and dead neonate cases aged less than 28 days from 1391 to 1392 recorded in three hospitals at Arak. After getting written permission of the hospitals, data were collected from the files. The descriptive statistics (mean and percentage) and inferential statistics chi-square and t-test were used. Results: The results showed prevalence of stillbirth was 19.8 and neonatal death was 19.1 per thousand live births. Asphyxia was the most prevalent cause of stillbirth 120 (45.2%) and premature birth was the most common cause of neonatal mortality 71(28.9%). In 173 cases (70.3) of neonatal deaths and 150 cases (54.6%) of stillbirths, mothers did not have any disease condition. Preterm labor was the most important obstetric complication in the two groups. Conclusion: Neonatal mortality rate from 1391 to 1392 was higher than the neonatal death rate in 1386. Since most neonatal deaths happened due to preterm delivery; thus investigating the causes of premature delivery and the need for better maternal care is advised.