Two cases of postmaturity-related perinatal mortality in non-local expectant mothers

Cherrie Yung, Kennis Liu, WL Lau, Helena Lam, WC Leung, Robert Chin
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong

We present two cases of postmaturity-related perinatal mortality with delivery at 42 weeks 6 days' and 44 weeks' gestation, respectively. No cause beyond postmaturity was found. Neither induction of labour nor foetal monitoring had been performed despite these gestations going post 41 weeks because of a current 'social obstetrics' phenomenon—non-local expectant mothers coming to Hong Kong from mainland China for delivery.

Hong Kong Med J 2007;13:231-3

Key words: Infant mortality; Pregnancy, prolonged; Socioeconomic factors