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PERINATAL OUTCOME IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA, 1968 TO 1975; 3. CAUSES OF STILLBIRTHS AND NEONATAL DEATHS EXCLUDING CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS
Author(s) -
Stanley Fiona J.,
Hobbs M. S. T.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1981.tb135745.x
Subject(s) - medicine , respiratory distress , obstetrics , antepartum haemorrhage , pregnancy , neonatal death , infant mortality , prenatal care , pediatrics , fetus , population , caesarean section , environmental health , surgery , biology , genetics
Major causes of stillbirths recorded on death certificates between 1968 and 1975 in Western Australia were maternal conditions (including heart and renal disease, infections and diabetes), pre‐eclampsia, antepartum haemorrhage and cord problems; a large number were of unknown cause. Fetal death rates due to maternal conditions, difficult labour, antepartum haemorrhage, premature rupture of membranes and haemolytic disease all fell with time. Stillbirth rates from multiple pregnancy and fetal distress rose over time, particularly the former. Rates for all causes of neonatal death fell over time except those for hyaline membrane disease/respiratory distress syndrome which rose, but only in low birthweight babies. Unmarried mothers had higher stillbirth and neonatal death rates from causes reflecting all types of care, but not from causes reflecting care in labour and neonatal care. Neonatal death rates for unmarried mothers may be improved by better antenatal care. Little or no improvement occurred in stillbirth or neonatal mortality amongst low birthweight births from causes reflecting antenatal, obstetric or neonatal care, even in areas closest to specialist care. Rates in areas remote from care were often better or improved more. Amongst heavier babies, improvements in rates occurred from all causes, as much or more amongst rural as amongst metropolitan‐dwelling mothers.