perinatal mortality

foetal deaths after week 28 of pregnancy and newborn deaths during the first week or two of life. The main causes of perinatal mortality are BRAIN injuries during birth, congenital defects and lack of oxygen in the final stages of PREGNANCY (called antepartum anoxia). Perinatal deaths are the result of complications involving the PLACENTA , CONGENITAL defects and birth ASPHYXIA .