Perinatal mortality and morbidity--the Scottish perspective.

Although perinatal mortality has continued to fall in Scotland during the last decade, there has been little change during the last three years i.e. 8.9, 8.9, 8.7 per thousand births respectively. Many deaths still result from antepartum haemorrhage and unknown causes so the Scottish Perinatal Mortality group is undertaking a confidential enquiry into the deaths of all normally formed infants of birthweight greater than 2500 g. The other major cause of prenatal death i.e. preterm delivery is also associated with a significant risk of neurological impairment. Results from the Scottish Low Birthweight Study show that 5.7 per cent and 9.5 per cent of very low birthweight infants have severe and moderate disability respectively, reveal once again the importance of research into the primary and secondary prevention of preterm delivery and the care of the preterm neonate.