Introduction:
Perinatal mortality rate measures the ratio of the number of late- fetal deaths (at or after 28 weeks gestation) and deaths within the first 7 days after birth per 1,000 live births. Perinatal period accounts for just 0.5% of the average life span, but deaths in this period are more than that in the next 30-40years.[1] With the reduction of national IMR below 50, Perinatal Mortality Rate is being considered as an important epidemiological indicator of Maternal and Child Health care of the country because of its sensitivity for both maternal and new-born care.[2] Deaths during this period can result because of inadequate care of both mother and new-born. While the causal relationship between perinatal mortality and level of socioeconomic development and environmental conditions is not perfect, the perinatal mortality rate is commonly used as a general indicator of socioeconomic well-being and of general medical and public health conditions in a country.[3]PMR is included as one of the components of “standard of living” evaluations of countries. Child Mortality is an important MDG since it affects the improvement in the living standards of a country. Reducing the perinatal mortality rate worldwide and particularly in the developing nations has been a key globe issue. Almost all countries showed significant improvement in tackling child mortality.[4]
Hence, a study was instituted within the premise of the Labour ward and Neonatal ICU of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal to analyse the causative factors and trends associated with perinatal deaths with an objective to devise methods to be able to improve standards of healthcare within.