title: Analysis of the German perinatal survey of the years 2007-2011 and comparison with data from 1995-1997: neonatal characteristics and duration of pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have previously analysed neonatal characteristics and duration of pregnancy in Germany based on data from the German Perinatal Survey of 1995-1997. Here we describe neonatal characteristics and duration of pregnancy based on the German Perinatal Survey of 2007-2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  We had been provided with data from the German Perinatal Survey of 1995-1997 by the chambers of physicians of all the states of Germany except Baden-Württemberg (1 815 318 singleton neonates). We were also provided with access to the perinatal survey data of 2007-2011 by the AQUA Institute in Göttingen, Germany (3 187 920 singleton neonates). We investigated regional differences within Germany and also compared the 2 periods of time. We used the computer programme SPSS for data analysis and performed plausibility checks on the survey data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparing the states of Germany, we found that birth weight was largest for neonates born in Schleswig-Holstein (3 407 g) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (3 392 g); the lowest mean birth weight was observed in the Saarland (3 283 g). Preterm birth rate varied between 6.3% (Saxony) and 8.1% (Bremen, Saarland). Comparing 1995-1997 vs. 2007-2011, deliveries after 37 and 38 weeks of gestation were more common and deliveries after 39 and more weeks of gestation were less common in the later period of time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regional differences in the anthropometric characteristics of neonates exist between the states of Germany. The proportion of deliveries after 39 and more weeks of gestation has decreased.
authors.affiliation: German Center for Growth, Development and Health Encouragement -during Childhood and Youth, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Voigt
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wittwer-Backofen
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.affiliation: Section of Perinatal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Technical -University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: K T M
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Straube
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Klinikum Südstadt, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Olbertz
authors.affiliation: German Center for Growth, Development and Health Encouragement -during Childhood and Youth, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hesse
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rochow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult