An investigation into the history of maternal risk factors in the incidence of perinatal mortality

ObjectivesThe rate of perinatal mortality is an important indicator of maternal and neonatal health. Identification of risk factors for perinatal mortality may be effective in its prevention. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify maternal risk factors of perinatal mortality.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 547 stillbirths and 709 neonatal deaths at Ghaem Hospital of Mashhad, Iran, during 2008-2019. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire in two parts of stillbirth (maternal diseases, main complication, and final diagnosis) and specifications of neonatal death (e.g., gender, length of hospitalization, age, first and fifth minute Apgar scores, gestational age, weight, resuscitation, mode of delivery, preterm rupture of membranes, main cause of death, and maternal diseases). Data analysis was performed by T-test and Chi-square tests using SPSS version 21 (V.21).ResultsOverall, 222 mothers (41%) had stillborn fetus and 325 (77%) with neonatal death had maternal risk factors. The 41% of neonatal deaths and 26% of stillbirths were along with maternal hypertension, 33% of neonatal deaths and 25% of stillbirths were along with maternal preeclampsia, and 9% of neonatal deaths and 12% of stillbirths were along with maternal diabetes. The cases of cesarean and neonatal resuscitation were higher in neonates with maternal risk factors (69% and 58%, respectively) than those with mothers who had no problem (43% and 32%, respectively).ConclusionHypertension, preeclampsia, and diabetes were three important diseases during pregnancy, associated with high stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Neonates of mothers with problem were pretermer or less birth weight and had more problems during delivery and died earlier.