Perinatal mortality in the United States: 1985-91

In 1991 a total of 35,926 perinatal deaths occurred in the United States; this includes fetal deaths occurring at 28 weeks of gestation or later and infant deaths occurring under 7 days of age. The perinatal mortality rate was at a record low of 8.7 perinatal deaths per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths, 19 percent lower than the rate in 1985. Perinatal mortality rates differ by race. In 1991 the rates for the white and black populations were 7.4 and 15.7 perinatal deaths per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths, respectively. The rate for the Hispanic population was 7.9 compared with a rate of 7.1 for the non-Hispanic white population of an area comprised of 36 States and the District of Columbia. This area includes those States that reported Hispanic origin and whose reporting completeness was considered adequate for analysis.