OBJECTIVES: This report measured the effect of births at 22 weeks' gestation or earlier on infant mortality in Philadelphia, Pa. METHODS: The proportion of live-born deliveries at 22 weeks or earlier was calculated. Overall and race-specific infant mortality was calculated after excluding live-born deliveries at 22 weeks' gestation or earlier. RESULTS: Of all deliveries, 1.5% were at 22 weeks or earlier. Of these, 68% were stillborn and 32% were live-born. Large hospital-to-hospital variation in the proportion of live-born deliveries at 22 weeks' gestation or earlier was noted. When nonviable births were excluded, overall infant mortality decreased 40%. CONCLUSIONS: The development of a standardized birth certificate policy is needed and will facilitate comparisons of infant mortality across spatial boundaries and racial/ethnic groups.
OBJECTIVES: This report measured the effect of births at 22 weeks' gestation or earlier on infant mortality in Philadelphia, Pa. METHODS: The proportion of live-born deliveries at 22 weeks or earlier was calculated. Overall and race-specific infant mortality was calculated after excluding live-born deliveries at 22 weeks' gestation or earlier. RESULTS: Of all deliveries, 1.5% were at 22 weeks or earlier. Of these, 68% were stillborn and 32% were live-born. Large hospital-to-hospital variation in the proportion of live-born deliveries at 22 weeks' gestation or earlier was noted. When nonviable births were excluded, overall infant mortality decreased 40%. CONCLUSIONS: The development of a standardized birth certificate policy is needed and will facilitate comparisons of infant mortality across spatial boundaries and racial/ethnic groups.
Authors: Mona T Lydon-Rochelle; Vicky Cárdenas; Jennifer L Nelson; Kay M Tomashek; Beth A Mueller; Thomas R Easterling Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2005-09-29 Impact factor: 9.308