[Toward a reduction of perinatal mortality]

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Health
• Neonatalogy
• Obstetrics

Context:

• The existing methodology for calculating perinatal mortality, established in Ille-et-Vilaine, is outdated.
• It fails to incorporate significant advancements in obstetrics and neonatology.
• The current definition excludes early neonatal deaths of infants weighing less than 1 kilogram and does not account for therapeutic abortions due to fetal abnormalities.

Purpose:

• To highlight the deficiencies in the current perinatal mortality calculation method.
• To propose a revised definition of perinatal mortality that addresses current medical advancements and statistical needs.
• To ensure more accurate and internationally comparable perinatal mortality data.

Summary:

• The study identifies that the traditional method of calculating perinatal mortality is inadequate due to medical progress, particularly the survival of infants weighing under 1,000 grams.
• It proposes a new definition encompassing all fetal and neonatal deaths (from 500g), including late neonatal mortality, stillbirths, and deaths following therapeutic abortions for fetal malformations.
• This revised approach aims to provide a more comprehensive measure of "lost pregnancies" and facilitate international comparisons.

Impact:

• Adoption of a new definition will lead to more accurate perinatal mortality statistics.
• Improved data will better reflect the impact of modern obstetrics and neonatology.
• Enhanced international comparability of perinatal mortality rates will be achieved.