Stillbirths and perinatal mortality at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Summary

Summary

The causes of perinatal mortality in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, 1987 to 1989, is reviewed. The perinatal mortality rates for 1987, 1988 and 1989 were 44-0, 62-7 and 71-9 per 1000, respectively. Stillbirths contributed over 50 per cent of the perinatal deaths. The perinatal mortality for unbooked patients was eight times that of the booked patients (P < 0–001). The major causes were intrapartum asphyxia (20-6 per cent), prematurity (19-4 per cent) and abruptio placentae (13-9 per cent). The causes of perinatal death was unknown in 19-4 per cent. The perinatal mortality in Benin in 1989 was about six times the average in European countries for 1984. Socioeconomic factors are presumed to have played a role in the high perinatal mortality in Benin.