Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

A Murine Closed-chest Model of Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion
13:42

A Murine Closed-chest Model of Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion

Published on: July 17, 2012

28.5K

[Infant mortality in Germany (2008-2012)--lower in the former German Democratic Republic?]

A Trotter1, C v Schnakenburg2, F Pohlandt3

  • 1Klinik für Kinder und Jugendliche, Gesundheitsverbund Landkreis Konstanz, Hegau-Bodensee-Klinikum, Singen - Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Trotter.

Zeitschrift Fur Geburtshilfe Und Neonatologie
|August 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

German infant mortality rates show significant regional variations. When stillborn infants are included, no mortality difference exists between the former East and West Germany, challenging previous assumptions.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal and infant health
  • Public health policy
  • Comparative European healthcare analysis

Background:

  • German infant mortality rates are near the European median but show disparities between the former East and West Germany.
  • These disparities have fueled calls for structural reforms and minimum caseloads in neonatal care for very low birth weight infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze neonatal and infant mortality rates across German federal states from 2008-2012.
  • To investigate the impact of including stillborn infants on mortality comparisons between the former German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • To assess the influence of minimum caseloads and structural requirements on neonatal mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the German Federal Statistical Office for neonatal and infant mortality (2008-2012).
  • Calculated mortality rates for 16 federal states, including stillbirths.
  • Performed statistical analysis (Chi-squared test) to compare mortality between regions and infant groups.

Main Results:

  • Significant variations in neonatal (1.34-3.61‰) and infant mortality (2.38-5.20‰) were observed across German federal states.
  • A lower neonatal mortality in the former German Democratic Republic was not confirmed for preterm infants (<1500g).
  • When stillbirths were included, no significant mortality difference was found between the former German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.

Conclusions:

  • Accounting for stillborn infants reveals no mortality difference between the former East and West Germany, necessitating their inclusion in international comparisons.
  • Persistent considerable variations in neonatal mortality exist across Germany despite structural requirements and minimum caseloads implemented since 2005.
  • Nationwide data do not support claims of lower infant mortality in the former German Democratic Republic or the effectiveness of current structural measures in reducing regional disparities.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Expansion of Embryonic and Adult Neural Stem Cells by In Utero Electroporation or Viral Stereotaxic Injection19:45

Expansion of Embryonic and Adult Neural Stem Cells by In Utero Electroporation or Viral Stereotaxic Injection

Published on: October 6, 2012

18.2K
Live-cell Imaging of Single-Cell Arrays LISCA - a Versatile Technique to Quantify Cellular Kinetics10:24

Live-cell Imaging of Single-Cell Arrays LISCA - a Versatile Technique to Quantify Cellular Kinetics

Published on: March 18, 2021

3.4K

Related Concept Videos

Life Histories01:29

Life Histories

Constrained by limited energy and resources, organisms must compromise between offspring quantity and parental investment. This trade-off is represented by two primary reproductive strategies; K-strategists produce few offspring but provide substantial parental support, whereas r-strategists produce much progeny that receives little care. These strategies are related to an organism’s survival likelihood across its lifespan, which is represented by a survivorship curve. Three general types of...
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Meiosis vs. Mitosis02:57

Meiosis vs. Mitosis

Cell division is necessary for growth and reproduction in organisms. Mitosis aids cell growth and development by dividing somatic cells. In contrast, meiosis causes the division of germ cells and plays an essential role in sexual reproduction. Due to their unique functional requirements, mitosis and meiosis differ from each other in multiple aspects.
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...