I. Apostolidou et al., SEASONAL-VARIATION OF NEONATAL AND INFANT DEATHS BY CAUSE IN GREECE, Scandinavian journal of social medicine, 22(1), 1994, pp. 74-80
The seasonal variation of neonatal and infant deaths in Greece was ana
lyzed for nine consecutive years (1979-1987) by cause of death, age of
death and urbanization of permanent residence. Data were supplied by
the National Statistical Service of Greece. Statistical analysis was d
one using the Edward's method. The seasonal patterns of the number of
deaths and death rates were similar. Neonatal deaths in total did not
show significant seasonality but postneonatal deaths showed seasonal v
ariation with a peak in the winter, more evident in rural areas. Neona
tal deaths from prematurity showed statistically significant seasonal
variation with a peak in May. Postneonatal deaths from infections and
mainly those from pneumonia showed very significant seasonal variation
with a peak in February that was more prominent in rural areas. Seaso
nal pattern with peak in late winter was also found for postneonatal d
eaths from injuries. The seasonal patterns for neonatal and postneonat
al deaths from sudden infant death syndrome were suggestive of an incr
eased occurrence during the winter months mainly in urban areas.