Perinatal mortality in a northern Nigerian rural community.

87 perinatal deaths which occurred out of 1484 births in a rural area of Northern Nigeria over a 9 month period were reviewed. The perinatal mortality rate was 58.6 per 1000 births. Babies born to very young adolescent mothers aged between 10-14 years had the highest perinatal mortality of 375 per 1000 births. Statistically significant relationships were also established between perinatal mortality and parity, educational status of the mother and birth weight. The leading cause of perinatal death was birth trauma which accounted for 48% of all perinatal deaths. Strategies for the reduction of perinatal mortality in the rural community are highlighted.