PERINATAL MORTALITY

DEFINATION: The number of stillbirths and early neonatal deaths (within 7 days of age) per
1000 total births (both live and still births).

Perinatal period commences at 22 completed weeks (154 days) of gestation and ends at seven
completed days after birth.

Critical interventions to reduce Perinatal Mortality:

In Summary:

1. Quality Antenatal Care

2. Intrapartum (Care at time of birth)
3. Essential New-born Care
4. Early Quality Postnatal Care

1.Quality ANC

 Focused ANC-at least 4 visits

 Close Monitoring of at-risk pregnancies
 Manage PROM
 Immunization against tetanus
 Syphilis screening and case management
 Detecting and treating STIs
 Detecting and treating symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria
 Preventing and treating anaemia with iron
 Preventing and treating eclampsia and preeclampsia
 Detecting, preventing and treating Rh Isoimmunization
 Detecting and preventing exposure to alcohol and drugs
 Corticosteroids for lung maturation

2.Intrapartum-Care at Time of Birth.

A. Delivery by skilled birth attendant

  ensure that all deliveries are conducted hygienically and according to accepted medical
practices
 Identify complications promptly and management appropriately either by treating or
referring to a higher level of care

B. Basic and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care

Basic

 Administer parenteral Antibiotics

 Administer Uterotonic drugs eg Oxytocin, Misoprostol
 Administer Parenteral anticonvulsants eg Magnesium Sulphate
 Perform Manual removal of placenta
 Perform removal of retained products
 Perform assisted Vaginal delivery
 Perform neonatal resuscitation

Comprehensive

Above +

 Perform Surgery eg C Section

 Perform blood transfusion

3.Essential Newborn Care

 To prevent hypothermia –immediate drying, head covering, skin to skin care

 Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding-within the first hour
 New-born Resuscitation
 To prevent disease-hygiene, eye care tetracycline ointment, Vit K,

4.Early Quality Postnatal Care

 Management of neonatal sepsis

 Management/addressing neonatal jaundice
 Preventing brain damage after birth related oxygen deprivation
 Care for Small babies
 Kangaroo Mother Care