Perinatal mortality in S. Paulo, over a period of two years, was analysed. The study took in all death certificates of the stillborn and a sample of children under a week of age. For the latter the methodology used was by interviewing phisicians and hospitals that cared for the deceased. The perinatal mortality rate was 42,05 per thousand live births. This value is really high when compared with those of developed areas. Nevertheless it can be reduced once the specific rates for some of the avoidable diseases be reduced by proper pre-natal care (congenital syphilis, illness pertaining to or associated with pregnancy). This can also be done by improving care at delivery (Distocias, obstetrical traumatism and anoxia) and towards the newlyborn (infeccious diseases, respiratory diseases, haemorrages and anoxia). The perinatal mortality rate varies with the age of the mother, the risk being largest in women between 40 and 49 years of age.
Perinatal Mortality; Vital statistics; Neonatal mortality; Natimortality
