[Prenatal surveillance and outcome of pregnancy according to the origin of women born outside continental France].

From national surveys on representative samples of births, in France, in 1972 and in 1981, prenatal care and outcome of pregnancy among immigrant women--having been born outside continental France--have been studied. In spite of an increase in the number of prenatal visits, between 1972 and 1981, foreign women born in North Africa or in other non-European countries in 1981 had still less prenatal visits than women born in continental France. Few differences in outcome of pregnancy according to the women's birthplace in 1981 are shown, preterm deliveries' and birthweight less than 2,500 g rates had decreased between 1972 and 1981 among most groups of women. Nevertheless, in 1981 stillbirth was more frequent among foreign women, especially women born in North Africa.