A hospital reports 8 antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths and 4 deaths within the first week of life over one month, during which there were 200 live births and 10 fetal deaths after 28 weeks of gestation. The perinatal mortality rate for this period is closest to:
- A 40 per 1000 total births
- B 54 per 1000 total births
- C 60 per 1000 live births ✓
- D 70 per 1000 total births
Correct answer: C. 60 per 1000 live births
Explanation
Perinatal mortality rate equals stillbirths plus deaths within the first week of life, divided by total births (live plus still), multiplied by 1000. Numerator is 10 plus 4 equals 14; denominator is 210 plus 10 equals 220. So 14 divided by 220 times 1000 gives about 63.6 per 1000, closest to option C. Option B uses live births alone in the denominator, which actually yields 66.7, but the standard denominator is total births. Options A and D reflect incorrect numerators.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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