Perinatal mortality in Cape Town.

Perinatal mortality in Cape Town has progressively decreased in all racial groups over the past 60 years. The perinatal mortality rate for Coloureds and Blacks, however, remains at 20 per 1 000 more than for Whites. While the stillbirth rate approximates the early neonatal death rate in Whites, the stillbirth rate for Coloureds and Blacks is double the rate for early neonatal deaths. Although there is a significantly higher early neonatal death rate for Coloureds and Blacks, the major component of perinatal loss is stillbirth and 80% of stillbirths occur before the onset of labour. Focus should be on the detection of the fetus at risk, with, perhaps, earlier intervention.