Description
Rates of perinatal mortality vary worldwide but are low in the Unted Kingdom. The leading causes are
fetal abnormalities and effects of prematurity but maternal medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus,
hypertension, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and antepartum haemorrhage and fetal factors such as unsuspected growth restriction and fetal anomalies are major contributors to mortality. Lower socioeconomic status also increases risk of perinatal death. Improvements in communication and detection of anomalies, growth restriction and medical problems, better interpartum surveillance and reduction in preterm birth should reduce avoidable perinatal deaths.
