Abstract
Author(s): BEATA LEÅNICZAK, GRZEGORZ KRASOMSKI, BOGUSÅAWA RUDNICKA, EWA PIEKARSKA,PRZEMYSÅAW OSZUKOWSKI, PIOTR WOŹNIAK
Introduction. One of assumptions of the three reference level organization of the perinatal caresystem introduced in Poland was to reduce neonate mortality.Aim of study.The aim of the study was to assess changes in antenatal, perinatal and earlyneonatal mortality rates in Poland in the years 1960-2010.Material and methods. The study analysed data concerning the numbers of stillbirths and earlyneonatal deaths in the first days of life derived from the Demographic Yearbook of the CentralStatistical Office of Poland.Results. The analysis indicated that, every 32nd neonate was stillborn or died in the first daysof life in Poland in 1960. In 2010, every 238th neonate was stillborn, and every 385th one diedin the first six days of life. Over the analysed 50 years the perinatal mortality rate droppedfrom 18.6 to 6.8 decreasing by 0.2, on average from year to year.Conclusions. The perinatal mortality dropped gradually and steadily in Poland for the 50 years.The introduced three reference level organization of the perinatal care system contributed con-siderably to the decrease in the perinatal mortality rate, which was especially noticeable inthe first years of the system’s operation. Over the analysed 50 years the antenatal mortalitydropped almost threefold, whereas early neonatal mortality fell almost sevenfold.