Outcomes of 17137 pregnancies in 2 urban areas of Ukraine

Objectives. Frequent terminations of pregnancy and high rates of fetal loss have been reported but not confirmed, in the former eastern bloc. A census of pregnancies in Ukraine, a former eastern bloc country, was conducted to determine the rates of these events. Methods. All pregnancies registered in 2 urban areas were enumerated. Durin g a 19-month period between 1992 and 1994, 17137 pregnancies and their outc omes were recorded. Results. Sixty percent of the pregnancies were voluntarily terminated, gene rally before the 13th week. In pregnancies delivered at 20+ weeks, fetal mo rtality was 29 per 1000, nearly 5 times the rate among Whites in the United States. There was a greater proportion of very early deliveries (20-27 wee ks) in Ukraine, as well as higher death rates at all gestational ages. Peri natal mortality was estimated to be 35 per 1000, about 3 times the US rate. Conclusion. This is believed to be the first study in the former eastern bl oc to ascertain all of the clinically recognized pregnancies in a specified period and to determine their outcomes. The data document elevated reprodu ctive risks in a former Soviet state.