Perinatal problems and quality assurance in Latvia - A country in economic transition

Purpose. To characterize the perinatal situation in Latvia today and to elaborate a program for future perinatal care. Method. We have analyzed the causes and structure of perinatal mortality at the Riga Maternity Home (RMH), a tertiary hospital where one-fifth of all Latvia's babies are born, and compared the results with Latvia in general. Results. Since 1991, perinatal mortality has varied between 17 and 23 per 1000 births annually at the ORMH and between 17 and 19 per 1000 births in Latvia as a whole. According to official statistics, perinatal hypoxia is the main cause of perinatal death in about half of the cases. There is a high percentage of antenatal (45%) and intrapartum (12%) deaths. Conclusions. We have elaborated a number of measures to develop antenatal care and improve the intranatal care for term and preterm infants.