Perinatal health monitoring in Europe: results from the EURO-PERISTAT project

Data about deliveries, births, mothers and newborn babies are collected extensively to monitor the health and care of mothers and babies during pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period, but there is no common approach in Europe. We analysed the problems related to using the European data for international comparisons of perinatal health. We made an inventory of relevant data sources in 25 European Union (EU) member states and Norway, and collected perinatal data using a previously defined indicator list. The main sources were civil registration based on birth and death certificates, medical birth registers, hospital discharge systems, congenital anomaly registers, confidential enquiries and audits. A few countries provided data from routine perinatal surveys or from aggregated data collection systems. The main methodological problems were related to differences in registration criteria and definitions, coverage of data collection, problems in combining information from different sources, missing data and random variation for rare events. Collection of European perinatal health information is feasible, but the national health information systems need improvements to fill gaps. To improve international comparisons, stillbirth definitions should be standardised and a short list of causes of fetal and infant deaths should be developed

Incidence of anencephalus and spina bifida in Greece

A cross‐sectional national survey of 11,048 births in the whole of Greece in April 1984 identified 7 cases of anencephalus and 9 of spina bifida. There was thus an incidence of 1.45 neural tube defects per 1,000 total births. This is the first geographically defined population study from southern Europe. In comparison with hospital‐based data from the 2 countries on its borders, the Greek rates are rather similar to those of Yugoslavia but much lower than reports from Turkey. Copyright © 1988 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Compan

Sociodemographic determinants of low birthweight in Greece: A population study

A total population sample of 10,654 singleton births from the Greek National Perinatal Survey of April 1983 was analysed to identify factors independently associated with low birthweight (LBW). The sample was divided into two groups according to the gravidity of the mothers (3368 primigravidae and 7286 multigravidae). Data examined included regional characteristics, marital status, age at and duration of marriage, parental ages at delivery, crowding in the home, insurance status, parental occupational classification and parental education levels. Logistic regression was used to define the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics independently associated with the delivery of an LBW singleton baby. Significantly different LBW rates were found among the two groups: 4.3% in the primigravidae and 5.2% for multigravidae. For primigravidae significant associations were found with marital status, maternal occupation and father's education, while for multigravidae significant features were mother's education and place (region) of residence. The study showed little to assist in devising strategies of primary prevention of LBW in Greece. This study examines the sociodemographic determinants of low birth weight (LBW) in Greece. The study population comprised 10,654 singleton births (3368 primigravid and 7286 multigravid mothers) from the Greek National Perinatal Survey of April 1983 was used to identify factors associated with LBW. The study considered classifications based on parental occupations, educational levels, marital status and parental ages, with the ultimate aim of providing clues about causal etiology. The results indicated no significant correlation with paternal occupation group. There was, however, a significant association with maternal occupation group. The housewife, whether primigravid or multigravid, had the lowest risk of having an LBW baby as compared to laborers and commercial workers. In Greece, paternal and maternal education showed a significant relationship with LBW. Unmarried primigravidas had a significant residual risk of LBW; however, marital status was not an independent risk factor for multigravidas. The mother's age was significantly associated with LBW among multigravidas, the highest rate being found among the oldest group of mothers. Paternal age was also significantly related to LBW among multigravidas, with women whose husband was either a teenager or age 45 or older being most at risk. In conclusion, factors such as maternal age and social class based on the father's occupation are not independently associated with LBW in Greece. For primigravidas significant associations were found with marital status, maternal occupation and father's education, while for multigravidas significant features were the education and place of residence of the mother