Analysis of Causes of Fetal Deaths From January to September of 2011 in Alagoas, Brazil

Fetal death is an important indicator of maternal/child health, prenatal care and social development of a country, and it is a important component of perinatal mortality. Antepartum death is associated to socioeconomic conditions, inadequate prenatal care, fetal characteristics and others. Intrapartum deaths mostly result from sub-optimal management of complications during labor or delivery and no access to a good quality obstetric care. Fetal mortality is divided into three categories: early, intermediate and late.

In Brazil, the perinatal mortality rate fell from about 30 to 20 deaths per 1,000 births during the 1990s. However, reductions in perinatal mortality have been slower and more difficult to achieve than reductions in infant mortality.

From January to September of 2011 there were 433 fetal deaths in the state of Alagoas. The first cause of death was affections originated in perinatal period, that corresponded to 419 deaths (96,77%). In second place was congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities with 11 deaths (2,54%). Symptoms and abnormal regards on clinical and laboratory exams represented 0,46%. There were only one case (0,23%) registered as caused by infectious and parasitic diseases.

Numbers clearly shows the importance of access to good quality prenatal care and health services. It is important to identify risk factors in order to provide preventive measures. The decrease in perinatal mortality is related to the expansion of antenatal care, delivery services, and newborn care. Efforts on developing a more accessible and efficient healthcare system is essential to provide an adequate assistance in pregnancy and prevent avoidable fetal death.