The pathology in perinatal mortality in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The clinico-pathological causes of death in 497 stillbirths and 1st 24 hour neonatal deaths in Nairobi are described. The major factors in stillbirth (303 cases) were cord compression and prolapse, birth trauma, and prolonged labour. Hyaline membrane disease and intraventricular haemorrhage caused death in 52% of the neonatal cases. The importance of intra-uterine infection is discussed