Underregistration of neonatal deaths: an empirical study of the accuracy of infantile vital statistics in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
The accuracy of the official statistic on infant deaths in Taiwan has been questioned. This study aimed to survey infant deaths nationwide, to measure associated vital statistics, and compare them with the official statistics to assess accuracy.


METHODS
A nationwide survey of all gestational outcomes occurring at > or = 20 weeks' gestation over a three day study period (15-17 May 1989) was conducted to collect data from 23 counties and cities nationwide using a two stage data collection procedure.


RESULTS
The survey derived infant death rate was 9.72 per 1000 live births, which was higher than the reported official statistic of 5.71 per 1000 live births. A more detailed examination of data on infant deaths showed that the estimated neonatal death rate of 6.68 per 1000 live births (95% confidence intervals: 3.33, 11.96 per 1000 live births) was significantly higher than the published official statistic of 1.94 per 1000 live births, while the postneonatal mortality of 3.04 per 1000 live births was comparable to the reported statistic of 3.37 per 1000 live births.


CONCLUSIONS
This study empirically documented the underregistration of infant deaths in Taiwan, particularly those occurring during the first 27 days of life.
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taiwan, ROC.
L M
LM
Chen
C A
CA
Sun
D M
DM
Wu
M H
MH
Shen
W C
WC
Lee
D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011786:Quality Control; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology