22 fetuses die in PH daily – NSO

MANILA, Philippines – More fetuses died in the Philippines in 2010, averaging 22 deaths each day.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) reported that the total number of fetal deaths increased to 8,095 in 2010. The figure is an increase of 0.6% from the 8,043 deaths recorded in 2009.

The increase in fetal deaths came with less than 5 years to go before the deadline of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Philippines committed to reduce child mortality, one of 8 MDGs.

The NSO said most of the fetal deaths occurred in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region IV-A, and Region VII. Two out of every 10 fetal deaths happened in Metro Manila.

The 3 regions accounted for 51.7% of the deaths.

Top cause of deaths

The agency said the leading cause of fetal deaths is disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight.

“Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight, not elsewhere classified is at its prime having 4,445 cases or more than half of the total figure. It has been observed that the combination of the other 9 leading causes of fetal deaths [was] not even halfway to the total count of this kind of complication.”

NSO added, “In fact, one in every two fetal deaths was affected to this disease.”

Most of the deaths occurred under the care of:

• physicians (6,575 deaths or 81.2%)
• hilots or traditional birth attendants (848 deaths or 10.5%)
• midwives (623 deaths or 7.7%)
• nurses (37 cases or 0.5%)

Unmarried mothers

The NSO also found that over half of the fetal deaths were recorded for unmarried mothers. The highest percentage in this sector was recorded for women aged 20-24 (29.5%), followed by women aged 30-34 (27.5%).

The lowest number of fetal deaths was recorded for the menopausal group and the teenage group.

Most of the fetal deaths occurred in September and August. The least number of deaths happened in June 2010.  – Rappler.com

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