NEW ZEALAND HEALTH INFORMATION SERVICE
Infant and perinatal mortality in 2004, 2005 and 2006
Definitions
Fetal deaths are defined in this report as stillbirths of 20 weeks or more gestation, or 400 grams or more birth weight.
Perinatal deaths consist of fetal deaths and deaths in the first week of life (early neonates).
A neonatal death is defined as the death of a liveborn infant before the 28th day of life, and a post-neonatal death as the death of a liveborn infant between the 28th day and the first year of life.
An infant death is defined as a liveborn infant dying before the first year of life is completed.
The Ministry of Health applies these definitions and assigns the underlying cause of death in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Infant and perinatal mortality rates
Figure 1: Fetal and Infant death rates, total population, 1942–2006.
Source: Ministry of Health Mortality Data
* Data for 2005 and 2006 is provisional.
The Births, Deaths, and Marriages Registration Act 1995 requires a Medical Certificate of Causes of Death and a birth registration form to be completed for all fetal deaths. Before 1 September 1995, the legislation required that any fetal death of 20 weeks or greater period of gestation be issued a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and birth registration was required only for fetuses of 28 or more weeks gestation (termed late fetal deaths or stillbirths), while registration of fetal deaths of 20–27 weeks gestation (intermediate fetal deaths) was not required.
The fetal and perinatal mortality rates are calculated per 1000 total births (fetal deaths plus live births), while the death rates for neonatal and infant deaths are calculated per 1000 live births.
Fetal and infant mortality rates for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006
2004
2005 (Provisional)
2006 (Provisional)
§ Rate per 1000 total births.
† Rate per 1000 live births.
* Note: The data for 2005 and 2006 are provisional and subject to change.
Selected causes of infant mortality for the years 2004 to 2006
† Rate per 1000 live births.
- = Zero or nil.
-- Rate too small to be expressed.
… Not applicable.
* Note: The data for 2005 and 2006 are provisional and subject to change.
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For further Mortality related information, please refer to the Publication and Health statistics sections.
Ministry of Health Provisional Mortality Data 2005 and 2006 (as at: 03/03/09)
For further information, contact Analytical Services at data-enquiries@moh.govt.nz