S. Gudmundsson et al., SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS AND PERINATAL OUTCOME ACCORDING TO RESIDENCE AREA IN THE CITY OF MALMO, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 76(4), 1997, pp. 318-323
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.