Perinatal mortality survey in Jamaica: aims and methodology

ABSTRACT

The Jamaican Perinatal Mortality survey was designed to identify the true perinatal mortality rate, and assess the factors which could contribute towards a reduction in perinatal mortality on the island. All births in a 2-month period (n=10527) were compared with all perinatal deaths occurring over a 12-month period (n=2069). Over half the deaths (n=1058) received a detailed post-mortem examination. Use of the Wigglesworth classification identifies the major component of perinatal death in this country to be associated with intrapartum asphyxia (44 percent of deaths). Deaths due to congenital malformations and miscellaneous causes contribute relatively little (<10 percent) to the overall mortality rate. Over a quarter of deaths apparently occur before the onset of labour, a a fifth are prematurely liveborn but die of causes related to immaturity (Summary)