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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Perinatal mortality and one-year infant morbidity

C E Jones, M Radford

    British Medical Journal
    |February 11, 1978
    PubMed

    Insights

    Perinatal mortality significantly decreased due to fewer stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. Congenital abnormalities, not prematurity, were the primary cause of major infant handicaps.

    Area of Science:

    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Neonatal Medicine
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Examining trends in perinatal mortality rates within a specific UK health district.
    • Investigating the contributing factors to observed changes in stillbirth and neonatal death rates.

    Observation:

    • A notable decline in perinatal mortality from 20.8 to 11.3 per 1000 births between 1970 and 1976.
    • Identifying the primary drivers of this reduction as decreased stillbirth rates and, more recently, lower early neonatal death rates.

    Findings:

    • A one-year follow-up of infants born in 1975 with perinatal issues revealed 12 major handicaps.
    • Eight of these handicaps originated from prenatal issues, two from preterm delivery complications, and two from other perinatal conditions.
    • Congenital abnormalities accounted for two-thirds of major handicaps, indicating they were the predominant cause.

    Implications:

    • The findings suggest that interventions targeting congenital abnormalities may be more impactful in reducing major infant handicaps than those solely focused on preterm delivery or low birth weight.
    • Public health strategies should consider a comprehensive approach addressing prenatal factors to further improve infant outcomes.
    • Continued monitoring of perinatal mortality and handicap causes is essential for refining healthcare interventions.

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