[Infant mortality in Europe and Canada: a resolved problem?].

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Perinatology
• Sociomedical Sciences

Background:

• Foetal-infant mortality in very low overall mortality rate countries requires nuanced health-based analysis.
• Technological advancements in reproductive health impact infant survival and delivery types.
• Persistent and potentially widening social inequalities may influence future mortality trends.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze foetal-infant mortality tendencies in countries with very low mortality rates.
• To examine the influence of reproductive technology on infant survival and multiple births.
• To assess the role of social inequalities in foetal-infant mortality patterns.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing vital statistics to develop indicators such as low birth weight incidence and differential risks.
• Analyzing specific risks associated with birth weight.
• Comparing risks based on parental social characteristics across European countries and Canada.

Main Results:

• Increased survival rates for very low birth weight infants due to technological advancements.
• A rise in multiple deliveries in some countries, linked to reproductive technologies.
• Anticipation that overall mortality rates may not have peaked due to ongoing social inequalities.

Conclusions:

• Reproductive technology positively impacts survival of premature infants but may increase multiple births.
• Social inequalities remain a critical factor influencing foetal-infant mortality, suggesting rates may not yet have plateaued.
• Vital statistics provide essential tools for monitoring and comparing these health phenomena across nations.