SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS AND PERINATAL OUTCOME ACCORDING TO RESIDENCE AREA IN THE CITY OF MALMO

Background. Maternal socioeconomic status is known to influence perina tal outcome. Antenatal care is free of charge in Sweden and all pregna nt women are followed according to a standardized protocol of surveill ance. The city of Malmo in southern Sweden is divided into 124 townshi ps with great differences in socioeconomic standard. The aim of this s tudy was to evaluate perinatal outcome according to the address of res idence of the mothers within the city of Malmo. Methods. Perinatal out come of 7056 pregnancies was related to three socioeconomic characteri stics of the 124 townships in Malmo: percentage of immigrants, percent age of inhabitants on social welfare and the median income. Results. M aternal age was lower, number of abortions and parity were higher in l ow income areas. Perinatal complications were also more frequent, incl uding low birthweight, small-for-gestational age newborns, maternal an emia, infections, and low 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores. Premature rupt ure of membranes was associated with low income areas. Symphysiolysis and pre-eclampsia were more frequent in the high income areas. Conclus ion. Although maternity care is provided free of charge, perinatal com plications were more frequent in areas of lower socioeconomic status. In order to improve perinatal outcome, antenatal surveillance should b e intensified in low class socioeconomic areas.