Epidemiology of perinatal mortality among singletons in ten counties(cities) of China, 1993-2005

ObjectiveTo explore the time trends and epidemilogical characteristics of perinatal death among singletons in 10 counties(cities)of China during 1993 to 2005.MethodsWe analyzed the data on 532454 women(gestational age ≥20 weeks)collected through Perinatal Health Care Surveillance System established by Institute of Reproductive and Child Health,Peking University Health Sience Center.Chi-square test was used to test the differences in prevalence of perinatal death among different groups.The potential risk factors for perinatal death were analyzed with logistic regression modeling.ResultsThe overall perinatal mortality rate in 10 counties(cities)was 7.7‰ and the perinatal mortality rate declined steadily from 1993 to 2005.Perinatal mortality rate in the urban areas of the southern part of China was higher than that in the rural areas which was also higher than that in the rural areas of the northern part of the country.ConclusionPerinatal mortality rate declined steadily from 1993 to 2005 in 10 counties(cities)but varied in different areas of the country.