Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality at Souissi Maternity Hospital, Rabat, Morocco

Background: Perinatal morbidity and mortality rates are indicators of the level of perinatal care.

Aims: To study perinatal morbidity and mortality at Souissi maternity hospital, Rabat, Morocco.

Material and Methods: Prospective study of all cases of perinatal morbidity and mortality during the months of January and February 2014.

Results: A total of 3297 births were included in the study. Sex-ratio was 0.96. Birth weight ranged from 600 to 5400 g with an average of 3202 g. The total of perinatal morbidity and mortality cases was 792. Perinatal morbidity rate was 233 per 1000 births and perinatal mortality rate was 7 per 1000 births. Perinatal morbidity consisted of: suspected perinatal sepsis (5.62%), prenatal exposure to maternal infections (0.21%), macrosomia at term (1.64%), low birth weight without prematurity (2.49%), post-term delivery (1.00%), prematurity (1.36%), perinatal asphyxia (3.97%), respiratory morbidity (2.12%), congenital malformation (0.64%) and birth trauma (0.12%). The perinatal mortality was 23, consisting of 20 stillbirths (8 macerated and 12 fresh stillbirths) and 3 cases of early neonatal mortality related to perinatal anoxia in 2 cases and to an anencephaly in 1 case. Higher risk of perinatal morbidity was associated with maternal age ≤40 years (P=0.002), primiparous mother (P<0.001), multiple pregnancy (P<0.001), malpresentation (P<0.001) and emergency cesarean delivery (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Perinatal morbidity and mortality remains a public health concern in Morocco and identification of risk factors enables optimal targeting of prevention efforts. Given the high number of morbidities and mortalities observed during the period of the study, the permanent presence of a pediatrician at the labor ward of Souissi maternity hospital for immediate and optimal management of the newborns is crucial.