title: Using the Nordic-Baltic perinatal death classification to assess perinatal care in Ukraine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify health care issues important to reduce the perinatal mortality rate (PMR) in Ukraine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perinatal deaths in the Donetsk region (Ukraine) in 1997-1998 were compared with those in Denmark in 1996 by using the Nordic-Baltic classification for perinatal deaths. Clinical guidelines, use of technology and rates of interventions in the two regions were described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A two-fold increase in PMR was found in Ukraine compared to Denmark, mainly explained by higher rates of antenatal deaths of growth restricted fetuses, intrapartum deaths, and neonatal deaths due to asphyxia. Vacuum extraction is rarely used in Ukraine. The clinical guidelines for care differ significantly between the two regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Appropriate use of technology and implementation of evidence-based guidelines should be a matter of high priority in the Donetsk region, Ukraine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Donetsk State Medical University, Prospect Ilicha 16, 83003, Donetsk, Ukraine. imogilevkin@excite.com
authors.forename: Iryna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mogilevkina
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bødker
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orda
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langhoff-Roos
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lindmark
mesh_terms: D001034:Apgar Score; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000401:mortality; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000401:mortality; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000592:standards; D014455:Ukraine / Q000453:epidemiology