Title
Perinatal health monitoring in europe: Results from the EURO-PERISTAT project
Author
Gissler, M.
Mohangoo, A.D.
Blondel, B.
Chalmers, J.
MacFarlane, A.
Gaizauskiene, A.
Gatt, M.
Lack, N.
Sakkeus, L.
Zeitlin, J.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2010
Abstract
Data about deliveries, births, mothers and newborn babies are collected extensively to monitor the health and care of mothers and babies during pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period, but there is no common approach in Europe. We analysed the problems related to using the European data for international comparisons of perinatal health. We made an inventory of relevant data sources in 25 European Union (EU) member states and Norway, and collected perinatal data using a previously defined indicator list. The main sources werec civil registration based on birth and death certificates, medical birth registers, hospital discharge systems, congenital anomaly registers, confidential enquiries and audits. A few countries provided data from routine perinatal surveys or from aggregated data collection systems. The main methodological problems were related to differences in registration criteria and definitions, coverage of data collection, problems in combining information from different sources, missing data and random variation for rare events. Collection of European perinatal health information is feasible, but the national health information systems need improvements to fill gaps. To improve international comparisons, stillbirth definitions should be standardised and a short list of causes of fetal and infant deaths should be developed. © 2010 Informa UK, Ltd.
Subject
Health
Jeugd en Gezondheid
birth and death registration
Data sources
definitions
health monitoring
health statistics
perinatal health indicators
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:d872b08c-fa3d-4bf3-b6e8-444247f022f7
TNO identifier
409307
ISSN
1753-8157
Source
Informatics for Health and Social Care, 35 (2), 64-79
Document type
article