Definition and classification of perinatal mortality

: Analysis of problems related to the classification of perinatal mortality was made possible through the evaluation of data collected from the medical records of nine maternity hospitals in South-Hainaut. Medical records of 135 fetal and early neonatal deaths were investigated. Perinatal mortality statistics were compiled on the basis of five different definitions of perinatal mortality. Depending on which definition was used, perinatal mortality varied between 10.2% and 15.1%. This study shows that reporting of perinatal mortality in hospital registries according to the legal requirement is incomplete. Standard data should be collected for each pregnancy product, on the basis of clearly defined, national and international accepted definitions. It is suggested that the 1975 recommendations of the World Health Organization (International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition), be used for definition and classification of perinatal mortality.