The perinatal mortality rate is calculated using which combination of numerator events and denominator?

• A Late fetal deaths plus post-neonatal deaths per 1000 live births
• B All deaths under 28 days of life per 1000 live births
• C Stillbirths plus early neonatal deaths per 1000 total births (live and still) ✓
• D Stillbirths plus all neonatal deaths per 1000 live births

Explanation

Perinatal mortality bridges late pregnancy and early extrauterine life. The numerator comprises late fetal deaths (stillbirths after viability, taken as 28 weeks or above in Indian usage) plus early neonatal deaths within the first 7 days. The denominator is total births, meaning live births plus stillbirths, expressed per 1000. Option B describes the neonatal mortality rate, whose denominator is only live births. Option D fails because it uses the wrong denominator and includes late neonatal deaths.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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