New Zealand records drop in perinatal mortality

New Zealand's perinatal mortality rate has fallen significantly for the first time since analyses began, the country's Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) has reported.

The PMMRC started reviewing maternal and newborn health in 2007, when it recorded 3.6 perinatal mortalities per 1,000 births. The organisation's latest annual report shows that in 2011, the rate dropped to three deaths per 1,000 births.

"It's extremely encouraging to see a reduction for the first time in the number of babies who are dying during labour and dying from insufficient oxygen around the time of birth," said PMMRC chair Professor Cynthia Farquhar.

In 2011, New Zealand District Health Boards declared some 19 per cent of perinatal mortalities to be preventable. Mothers of Maori, Pacific and Indian backgrounds, along with those from deprived areas, were found to be most at risk of losing their newborns.

The PMMRC reported that maternal mortality rates had not significantly changed in the period. A total of eight maternal deaths occurred in the country during 2011.