Perinatal mortality in urban slums in Lucknow.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) in the urban slums of Lucknow

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Twenty five Anganwadi centres of urban Lucknow, with a population of 25,901.

METHODS

Data was collected on birth and early neonatal deaths, gestational age of the neonate (determined at birth) and maternal variables like socio-economic status, maternal age, parity, and bad obstetrical history from January 1992 to March 1993.

RESULTS

There were 966 births with a still-birth rate of 37.2 and PNMR of 59.0 per 1000. The relative risk of perinatal mortality with lower socio-economic status was 1.87, bad obstetrical history 2.18, and gestational age < 37 weeks 1.95.

CONCLUSIONS

Further reduction in PNMR may be possible with focussed medical services to women of low socio-economic status having bad obstetrical history and those delivering before term.