Perinatal and neonatal mortality in Northwest Greece (1996-2004)

Objective. An improvement in perinatal mortality is reported in various countries. This is a retrospective analysis of perinatal and neonatal mortality in Northwest (NW) Greece. Methods. Analysis was made of the births and deaths register in NW Greece and records of the regional referral tertiary care center and the National Hospitals at the same area for the period 1996-2004. Perinatal mortality was analysed according to birthweight (BW) and gestational age (GA) for two separate periods, 1996-1999 (I) and 2000-2004 (II), corresponding to an increase in antenatal steroid use from 20% to 63%. Results. Neonatal mortality improved between the two periods in infants with very low BW [very low birth weight (VLBW), <1500 g] and the very preterm infants (<28 weeks GA). Severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) decreased (p<0.001) for infants with GA <= 34 weeks and those with BW 751-1500 g (p<0.02), and perinatal asphyxia is no longer a leading cause of death. Intrauterine transfer increased (p<0.001) for infants with BW <= 1500 g. The main cause of death as derived from birth records and neonatal intensive care unit records is prematurity, alone or with complications. Conclusions. With the introduction of antenatal steroids and increase in intrauterine transfer there has been a decrease in neonatal mortality of VLBW infants in NW Greece.