Perinatal deaths in the Faroe Islands during 1986-95

Objective. To examine causes of perinatal mortality in the Faroe Islands, w here it has been increased compared to other Nordic societies. Method. Cases were classified according to a fetal/obstetric, a fetal/neona tal, and a fetal/ obstetric/neonatal classification (classifications C1, C2 , and C3, respectively). Setting. The Faroe Islands 1986-1995; as reference materials were used a) t he preceding decade in the Farces and b) a parallel period in Denmark. Subjects. We examined all available information regarding each case from ho spital records, midwife records, birth certificates, death certificates and autopsy records. Results. The perinatal mortality was 10.3 per 1,000 total births (83/8,096) compared with 13.7 (102/7,458) in the preceding decade; the fall could be attributed to fewer cases with preeclampsia, antepartum bleedings (CI) and antepartum asphyxia (C2) and the number fell despite an increased occurrenc e of cases attributed to congenital malformations. Perinatal mortality in D enmark was 8.3 (4,574/550,971), where rates were lower Of cases with congen ital malformations and fetoplacental dysfunction, but where the rate was hi gher of cases related to preterm birth (C3). Conclusions. Although the perinatal mortality rate still is higher in the F arces than Denmark, the rate had fallen in the Faroes from 1976-85 to 1986- 1995. The fall was mainly due to fewer cases attributable to antepartum asp hyxia, preeclampsia, antepartum bleedings, and hyaline membrane disease, a pattern compatible with a more efficient perinatal service in the Faroes in the latter period.