Retrospective analysis of causes of perinatal mortality in a polluted area.

The aim of the study was to analyze retrospectively the perinatal mortality of newborn babies with low body weight and the causes of their deaths in the years 1985-1995. A gradual significant increase in the perinatal mortality rate from 11.9 to 24.0 per thousand (per mille) was observed during this period. At the same time, a decrease in the rate of premature births from 19.9 to 13.7% was noted. The perinatal mortality rate in the years 1985-1995 was influenced predominantly by a significantly increasing percentage of newborn babies with extremely low body weight at birth--from 3.1 to 10.4%. In the remaining weight groups, there was a decrease in this percentage or its value remained at the same level. The most common causes of intrauterine mortality in these 10 years were placental, umbilical cord, and fetal membrane complications (30.7%); complications in pregnancy due to the mother's illness (29.3%); and developmental anomalies (23.%). The most common causes of neonatal deaths in the same years were developmental anomalies (38.29%).