Abstract:
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that every year more than 133 million babies
are born globally, of which 90% are in low- and middle-income countries. Every year, almost
8 million children die before their fifth birthday, but the great majority of these deaths occur
in the perinatal period (i.e. around the time of birth). Global perinatal mortality is estimated to
be about 7 million deaths every year (3.5 million stillbirths and 3.5 million deaths in the first
7 days). This death toll is more than the combined annual deaths globally due to HIV/AIDS
(2.1 million), tuberculosis (1.6 million) and malaria (1.3 million), which together add up to 5
million lives lost. Almost one quarter of the 7 million perinatal deaths occur during labour and
delivery. The causes of perinatal and maternal deaths in developing countries are almost similar
(haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, eclampsia, infection and obstructed labour).
