Pregnancy and perinatal health in Inner Mongolia, China, 1996-1999

Objective: To obtain descriptive measures of maternal and perinatal health in the Ba Men Region of Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: Data collected from the Examination Chart for Pregnant Women for approximately 22,000 pregnancies in a three-county area of Inner Mongolia, China from December 1, 1996 through December 31, 1999 were analyzed for maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes. Results: Compared to selected developing countries, a higher percentage of women (99%) in this region received at least one prenatal care visit. This region was also characterized by a low percentage of low birthweight (<2.5 kg) infants (1%) and neonatal mortality rate (5 deaths per 1000 live births). Conclusions: Maternal and neonatal health outcomes in this region of Inner Mongolia were better than those in selected developing countries. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. on behalf of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.