Perinatal mortality at the North West Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia and the potential benefits of the biophysical profile score.

Relatively little information is available in the literature regarding perinatal mortality in Saudi Arabia and none concerning the value of a full fetal assessment screening program in its reduction. This study analyzes all deliveries with a birth weight of greater than 500 grams at the North West Armed Forces Hospital (NWAFH) for the year 1992. It investigates the causes of perinatal death, ascertaining those which could potentially have been avoided and assessing the role which a fetal assessment screening program might have played in its reduction. There were 4387 babies born during this period. The combined perinatal mortality rate was 16.3%. Of these, 6.5% comprised babies weighing less than 1000 grams. Fifty-one (71%) of the deaths occurred among high risk patients and of these, 28 might have been saved had they been referred for fetal assessment screening. This study shows that the perinatal mortality rate at the NWAFH is comparable to figures obtained in other major centers in the country and that the introduction of a fetal assessment screening program could potentially result in a decrease in the perinatal mortality rate to less than 10/1000.