[Approach to perinatal mortality in the Netherlands: outcomes of a systematic expert study]

In 2009 the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport ordered several measures to reduce the high perinatal mortality in the Netherlands. One of these was the carrying out of a descriptive study into pregnancy and birth in which the systematic consultation of experts played an important role. The main aims were to produce a list of subjects to study and to prioritize scientific research. In addition, representatives of the scientific committees of the professional groups involved and the heads of perinatology centres were also consulted. The 25 most important resulting research themes pertained to (a) early detection of risks during the preconceptional period, pregnancy and parturition, (b) recognition and tackling of societal, psychosocial, social and socio-economic risk factors, and (c) a more extensive and risk-led collaboration between all healthcare workers within the Dutch obstetric healthcare system. This study contributed to the study agenda of the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) which resulted in a widely supported, specialty transcending research programme on all aspects of pregnancy and birth.