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. 1998 Aug;88(8):1236-9.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.88.8.1236.

Perinatal mortality and its relationship to the reporting of low-birthweight infants

S T Phelan  1 , R Goldenberg, G Alexander, S P Cliver
Affiliations

Perinatal mortality and its relationship to the reporting of low-birthweight infants

S T Phelan et al. Am J Public Health. 1998 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined changes in the reporting of very low-birthweight infants in Alabama from 1974 to 1994 and the impact on perinatal mortality rates.

Methods: Linked live birth, neonatal death, and stillbirth records of infants born weighing less than 1500 g were compared.

Results: The changes in mortality over time ranged from a drop from 100% to 92% in the under-500-g group to a drop from 39% to 4% in the 1000-to 1499-g group. The percentage of total births weighing less than 500 g increased by 155%; the percentage of 1000- to 1499-g births increased by only 7%. As a result, the percentage of neonatal mortality attributable to live births below 500 g increased from 3% to 32%.

Conclusions: Increased reporting of births below 500 g has masked improvements in neonatal mortality.

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