Sri Lanka records over 300,000 pregnancies: Physicians

By Poojathmi Rivithma

Colombo, Feb 10 (Daily Mirror) - A total of 341,745 pregnancies were recorded in 2019, resulting in 319,010 live births. However, not all newborns were healthy, the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL) said.

It was reported that nearly 1,600 babies were born still or died in the womb after 28 weeks (stillbirths) and 35% of them due to congenital deformities and other fetal disorders.

Consultant Community Physician Dr. Kapila Jayaratne, President of the CCPSL, said that a significant proportion of such pregnancies do not lead to healthy births.

Sri Lanka has seen a significant decline in birth rates, with numbers dropping from 319,000 in 2019 to 247,900 in 2023. Around 2,700 babies do not survive until their first birth day.

Following this, 453 babies died on the first day, 951 died between 2 to 7 days and 527 passed away between 8 to 28 days. The highest number of deaths, 855 was reported within 28 days. 

In total, 4,000 to 5,000 babies are born every year with birth defects, while 900 to 1,000 of them die before the age of one year. 

Moreover, 30% of babies with congenital defects had serious abnormalities, making it impossible for them to live a normal life.

Consultant Obstetician & Gynaecologist Dr. Ruwan Silva, while speaking to the Daily Mirror, explained that miscarriage refers to the loss of a fetus before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

However, various factors, including maternal health conditions, genetic abnormalities, infections and lifestyle factors, can contribute to the risk of miscarriage.

According to Dr. Silva, babies born at around 25–26 weeks have a chance of surviving and leading a normal life.

The causes of miscarriage include infections, genetic problems, environmental factors such as chemicals and radiation, as well as medical conditions.

Furthermore, genetic problems are the main cause of miscarriage.

Health athorities raise awareness and support women who experience pregnancy loss to help them cope with the emotional and physical challenges.

Meanwhile, while some pregnancy losses happen due to unavoidable medical reasons, the WHO says that many stillbirths and miscarriages can be prevented with better prenatal care, early detection of problems and improved access to healthcare.

With nearly 2 million babies being stillborn, many of these deaths are preventable each year, according to the World Health Organization. 

Experts advise pregnant women to maintain a healthy lifestyle, seek regular medical checkups, and address any underlying health issues to reduce the risk of miscarriage.