A multi‐country study of the "intrapartum stillbirth and early neonatal death indicator" in hospitals in low‐resource settings. Issue 3 (21st June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goldenberg, Robert L.; McClure, Elizabeth M.; Kodkany, Bhala; Wembodinga, Gilbert; Pasha, Omrana; Esamai, Fabian; Tshefu, Antoinette; Patel, Archana; Mabaye, Hillary; Goudar, Shivaparasad; Saleem, Sarah; Waikar, Manjushri; Langer, Ana; Bose, Carl L.; Rubens, Craig E.; Wright, Linda L.; Moore, Janet; Blanc, Ann
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 122:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 230
• Page End: 233
• Publication Date: 2013-06-21
• Subjects: Doptone -- Fetal heart tones -- Hospital‐based perinatal mortality -- Neonatal mortality -- Perinatal mortality -- Stillbirth; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.04.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To determine the feasibility of introducing a simple indicator of quality of obstetric and neonatal care and to determine the proportion of potentially avoidable perinatal deaths in hospitals in low‐income countries. Methods: Between September 1, 2011, and February 29, 2012, data were collected from consecutive women who were admitted to the labor ward of 1 of 6 hospitals in 4 low‐income countries. Fetal heart tones on admission were monitored, and demographic and birth data were recorded. Results: Data were obtained for 3555 women and 3593 neonates (including twins). The doptone was used on 97% of women admitted. The overall perinatal mortality rate was 34 deaths per 1000 deliveries. Of the perinatal deaths, 40%–45% occurred in the hospital and were potentially preventable by better hospital care. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that it is possible to accurately determine fetal viability on admission via a doptone. Implementation of doptone use, coupled with a concise data record, might form the basis of a low‐cost and sustainable program to monitor and evaluate efforts to improve quality of care and ultimately might help to reduce the in‐hospital component of perinatal mortality in low‐income countries.