Abstract â–¡ 30

Objectives: This survey of perinatal mortality, undertaken in the district hospital in Ben Waleed, Libya, had the objective of evaluating the quality of the maternal health and perinatal care in the community.

Methods: During the study period (January 1991-January 1994), there were 4,635 live born infants 74 stillbirths and 115 early neonatal deaths. All 189 cases of perinatal death have been reviewed. The survey covered maternal characteristics, infant characteristics, association between maternal and infantile characteristics and perinatal mortality, including late fetal death, perinatal mortality rate, birth weight specific mortality rate and gestational age specific mortality rate.

Results: The study revealed an early neonatal rate of 24.8 per 1000 births and a perinatal mortality rate of 40 per 1000 deliveries. Antepartum stillbirth and intrapartum asphyxia were most commonly associated with perinatal death, followed by immaturity. Mode of delivery was significantly related with perinatal mortality, with vaginal breech presentation carrying the highest risk of death, followed by forceps delivery. Cesarean section ranged third, preceding the ventouse delivery. Possible causes of these findings have been discussed.

Conclusion: It is believed that the results of the review will provide better understanding of the needs for the perinatal care in the Ben Waleed area of Libya.