The national perinatal mortality rate in the State of Qatar during 2011; trends since 1990 and comparative analysis with selected high-income countries: The PEARL Study Project*

Abstract

To prospectively ascertain Qatar’s national perinatal mortality rate (PMR) during 2011, compare it with recent data from selected high-income countries, and analyze trends in Qatar’s PMR between 1990 and 2011 using historical data. A national prospective cohort study. National data on live births, stillbirths, and early neonatal mortality (day 0–6) were collected from all public and private maternity units in Qatar (1st January–December 31st 2011) and compared with historical perinatal mortality data (1990–2010) ascertained from the database of maternity and neonatal units of Women’s Hospital and annual reports of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). For inter-country comparison, country data were extracted from the World Health Statistics published by WHO in 2011 and from the European Perinatal Health Report published by the Europeristat project in 2008. A total of 20,725 births (20,583 live births plus 142 stillbirths) were recorded during the study period. Qatar’s national PMR during 2011 was 9.55 [early neonatal mortality rate (ENMR) 2.7 and stillbirth rate (SBR) 6.85], which was a significant improvement from a PMR of 13.2 in 1990 [risk ratio (RR) 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.58–0.89, P=0.002]. This improvement in PMR was more significant in ENMR (P<0.001) than in SBR (P=0.019). The stillbirths constituted 55% of PMR in 1990, which increased to 71.72% of PMR during 2011. The RR of PMR had a significant downwards trend between 1990 and 2011 (P=0.016). Qatar’s 2011 PMR, SBR, and ENMR are comparable to those of selected high-income counties. Qatar’s PMR, ENMR, and SBR have significantly improved between 1990 and 2011, and are currently comparable to those of selected high-income countries. An in-depth research to assess the correlates and determinants of stillbirth and perinatal mortality in Qatar is indicated.