[The validity of the perinatal classification by the Health Department]

On the basis of 273 perinatal and neonatal deaths in three Danish counties in 1985 and 1986, the validity of the abbreviated classification of perinatal deaths by the National Board of Health which comprises six categories was assessed. The classification is relatively robust regarding incorrect classification of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) as 87% of the deaths were classified in the relevant categories. This may be because the classification is relatively rough but also because the classification, as regards ICD diagnoses, is based on information from the register of births.