The Most common cause of perinatal mortality is

(B) Prematurity # Direct causes of death: About 80% of the perinatal deaths are related to perinatal hypoxia, low birth weight, infection & intracranial haemorrhage.> The undetermined group is reduced to 15%.> Thus autopsy study is essential in any perinatal; mortality study when the real causes of death can only be ascertained so that preventive measures can be taken to prevent its occurrence.> The WHO's definition "Deaths occurring during late pregnancy (at 22 completed weeks gestation and over), during childbirh and up to seven completed days of life" is not universally accepted. The perinatal mortality is the sum of the fetal mortality and the neonatal mortality.> Collectively, the two types of deaths are referred to as perinatal deaths. Maternal and prenatal foetal conditions leading to slow foetal growth, foetal malnutrition and immaturity are the major contributing factors.> Hypoxia, birth asphyxia and congenital anomalies are some of the major causes of perinatal deaths