De Nederlandse perinatale sterfte in internationaalperspectief

– Even within Europe perinatal mortality statistics of various countries differ markedly. These differences relate both to differences in the statutory regulations concerning registration of births and deaths and to variations in the financial and other incentives, which influence the compliance with existing regulations. Many countries, including The Netherlands, do not (yet) follow the WHO recommendations for greater uniformity in perinatal statistics and for calculation of a ‘standard perinatal mortality rate for international comparison’. In The Netherlands, it is entirely impossible to calculate this standard perinatal mortality rate, because the necessary data on birth weight are not systematically recorded. It is therefore recommended that The Netherlands adopt legislation to ensure registration of birth weight and gestational age of all births and to abolish the financial incentives that induce non-compliance with existing regulations for registering perinatal death. International comparison of perinatal mortality statistics is hardly feasible still.