Fetal deaths in Alabama, 1974-1983: a birth weight-specific analysis.
Birth weight-specific fetal death rates were evaluated for Alabama for the years 1974-1983. The fetal death rate for the total low birth weight group improved less than 20% during the decade, whereas the fetal death rate for the 2500-3999-g birth weight group improved 40%, and the fetal death rate for the group of 4000 g or more improved 71%. By 1983, 76% of all stillbirths weighed less than 2500 g, compared with 66% in 1974. In contrast, in both years, only about 7% of live births weighed less than 2500 g. This study suggests that increased reporting of stillbirths of less than 500 g has contributed to the recent apparent lack of improvement in stillbirth rates in Alabama.
Goldenberg
R L
RL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Foster
J M
JM
Cutter
G R
GR
Nelson
K G
KG
D000407:Alabama; D001719:Birth Certificates; D001724:Birth Weight; D003644:Death Certificates; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy