INFANT-MORTALITY IN DENMARK AND SWEDEN - A COMPARISON BASED ON DATA IN 2 NATIONAL REGISTRIES

Objectives: To study in detail the differences in infant mortality bet ween Denmark and Sweden. Study design: Data retrieved from national he alth registers on infant death rates were compared for 1980-1988, supp lemented with a study on the impact of socio-economic conditions in 19 85-86 (Denmark) or 1986 (Sweden). Results: Even after stratification f or maternal age, parity, and socio-economic group, the Danish mortalit y rate was higher in all age-at-death intervals except for stillbirths . Maternal age-parity distribution was more favourable in Denmark, the socio-economic distribution in Sweden. The most marked country differ ences was seen in young women. The difference in the rate of perinatal deaths but not of later deaths is explainable by a more favourable bi rth weight distribution in Sweden than in Denmark. Conclusions: The st udied variables do not explain the difference in mortality risk but it may be due to life style factors so far not identified. (C) 1997 Else vier Science Ireland Ltd.