Which of the following combinations correctly defines the Perinatal Mortality Rate?

• A Stillbirths plus early neonatal deaths, per 1000 live births
• B Stillbirths plus late fetal deaths after 28 weeks, per 1000 total births
• C Deaths from 28 weeks of gestation to 7 days after birth, per 1000 total births ✓
• D Deaths from 28 weeks of gestation to 7 days after birth, per 1000 live births

Explanation

Perinatal Mortality Rate counts deaths from 28 weeks of gestation through the first 7 days of life (stillbirths plus early neonatal deaths) per 1000 TOTAL births (live births plus stillbirths), not per 1000 live births. Using total births is logical because stillbirths themselves form part of the numerator and must appear in the denominator. Option D gets the numerator right but uses the wrong denominator.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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