[Investigations on the distribution, cause and prevention of early perinatal morbidity (author's transl)].

These investigations were designed to detect causes of early perinatal morbidity in order to develop methods to decrease the perinatal morbidity in our unit. From October 1972 to December 1974 the most important antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum data on 2210 deliveries were coded. In 98% of the cases continuous fetal monitoring was performed. To detect early perinatal morbidity the acid base balance of all deliveries was measured from the umbilical vessels and the Apgar rating was determined at 1,5 and 10 minutes. The data show that a further decrease of the incidence of acidosis and low apgar scores is only possible in a limited way. Of the 13% deliveries with pH values of/or less than 7.15 or Apgar scores of/or less than 6 at 1 minute, only 5% appeared to be avoidable in this retrospective study. The incidence of severe acidosis decreased from 2.3% in 1972 to 1.3% in 1974. A comparison of the years 1973 and 1974 showed an improvement. Apgar scores of 6 or less at one minute decreased from 16 to 10% and severe acidosis with pH values of less than 7.10 decreased from 2.7% to 1.8%. In vaginal operative deliveries, the incidence of severe acidosis was reduced from 8.5% to 1.1%.