Postdate pregnancies: a review of 46 perinatal deaths.

A review of 46 perinatal deaths was conducted using a 1982 to 1985 regional perinatal network database of 6701 delivered postdate (greater than or equal to 42 weeks gestation) infants. Perinatal mortality (6.9 per 1000 births) increased as gestational age advanced beyond 42 weeks, and was higher in young teenagers or mothers with some additional antenatal complications, such as hypertension. Meconium staining of the amniotic fluid, low Apgar scores, low birthweight, congenital malformations, and neonatal complications, including pneumothorax, meconium aspiration, and seizures, were associated with perinatal death.