[Audit of obstetrical practices and prevention of perinatal deaths].
An audit of obstetrical practices, defined here as a critical analysis of practices, was accepted by the local authorities and obstetricians/pediatricians of the district of Seine-Saint-Denis (northern Paris, France). The study analyzed all perinatal deaths occurring during a three-year period (the Perinatal Enquiry, 1 Oct. 1989 to 30 Sept. 1992) and subsequently became a permanent tool for critical analysis of obstetrical practices. Bimonthly meetings of obstetricians and pediatricians were held to discuss observed fetal and neonatal deaths. This intervention was associated with a major reduction in perinatal mortality rates after a 10-year period.
Papiernik
Emile
E
Université René Descartes Paris V, Maternité Port-Royal, Cochin APHP 123 Bd de Port-Royal, 75014 Paris.
Bucourt
Martine
M
Zeitlin
Jennifer
J
D002423:Cause of Death; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D008485:Medical Audit; D009774:Obstetrics; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors