• Summary
• Downloads
• Explanatory Notes
• Related Information
• Past Releases

MAIN CONDITION IN FETUS/INFANT

In 2007, one in three (30.1%) of all perinatal deaths were not assigned a specific cause of death in the fetus/infant (Fetal death of unspecified cause (P95), Other conditions originating in the perinatal period (P96) and Other ill-defined causes of mortality (R99)). Most of these were fetal deaths, representing 734 of the 767 perinatal deaths not assigned a specific cause of death. While 43.8% of all fetal deaths registered in 2007 reported no specific cause, the corresponding figure for neonatal deaths was 4.0%.

In 2006, one in three (32.5%) of all perinatal deaths were not assigned a specific cause of death in the fetus/infant (Fetal death of unspecified cause (P95), Other conditions originating in the perinatal period (P96) and Other ill-defined causes of mortality (R99)). Most of these were fetal deaths, representing 734 of the 798 perinatal deaths not assigned a specific cause of death. While 46.0% of all fetal deaths registered in 2006 reported no specific cause, the corresponding figure for neonatal deaths was 7.4%.

Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99) accounted for 13.3% and 16.6% of perinatal deaths in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Respiratory and cardiovascular disorders specific to the perinatal period (P20-P29) contributed a further 9.0% and 8.7% for 2006 and 2007 perinatal deaths respectively. Disorders related to length of gestation and fetal growth (P05-P08) contributed 37.7% and 34.2% to total 2006 and 2007 perinatal deaths.

Table 3.1 Perinatal deaths by Main condition in the fetus/infant and sex(a) - 2006-2007(b)(c)
	2006			2007
Causes of death	Males(d)	Females	Persons	Males(d)	Females	Persons
Total Deaths(e)	1 343	1 116	2 459	1 335	1 197	2 532
CHAPTER XVI Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96)	1 152	950	2 102	1 086	946	2 032
Disorders related to length of gestation and fetal growth (P05-P08)	511	416	927	460	405	865
Birth trauma (P10-P15)	3	1	4	2	-	3
Respiratory and cardiovascular disorders specific to the perinatal period (P20-P29)	113	109	222	132	89	221
Infections specific to the perinatal period (P35-P39)	18	14	32	14	13	27
Haemorrhagic and haematological disorders of fetus and newborn (P50-P61)	28	15	43	26	21	47
Transitory endocrine and metabolic disorders specific to fetus and newborn (P70-P74)	3	3	3	5	1	7
Digestive system disorders of fetus and newborn (P75-P78)	12	8	20	19	6	25
Conditions involving the integument and temperature regulation of fetus and newborn (P80-P83)	8	10	18	8	10	18
Other disorders originating in the perinatal period (P90-P96)	455	373	828	401	388	789
CHAPTER XVII Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)	176	150	326	207	213	420
Congenital malformations of the nervous system (Q00-Q07)	30	31	61	51	46	97
Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck (Q10-Q18)	-	-	-	1	-	3
Congenital malformations of the circulatory system (Q20-Q28)	32	23	55	49	43	92
Congenital malformations of the respiratory system (Q30-Q34)	12	6	18	5	5	10
Cleft lip and cleft palate (Q35-Q37)	3	2	4	2	3	1
Other congenital malformations of the digestive system (Q38-Q45)	2	-	4	1	2	3
Congenital malformations of genital organs (Q50-Q56)	-	-	-	1	-	2
Congenital malformations of the urinary system (Q60-Q64)	21	7	28	20	11	31
Congenital malformations and deformations of the musculoskeletal system (Q65-Q79)	14	15	29	19	25	44
Other congenital malformations (Q80-Q89)	26	23	49	24	28	52
Other congenital malformations, not elsewhere classified (Q89)	25	22	47	22	28	50
CHAPTER XVIII Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)	6	5	11	26	22	48
Sudden infant death syndrome (R95)	5	2	8	6	1	9
Other ill-defined and unspecified causes of mortality (R99)	-	-	-	13	13	26
Other conditions	9	11	20	16	16	32
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) Perinatal deaths are all fetal deaths (at least 20 weeks gestation or at least 400 grams birth weight) plus all neonatal deaths. See Glossary for further information.
(b) 2007 data is preliminary and will be subject to a revision process. See Explanatory Notes 4-5 for further information.
(c) Perinatal deaths for 2006 have been subject to a revision of scope rules. See Explanatory Notes 18-20.
(d) Includes sex indeterminate
(e) Data cells with small values have been randomly assigned to protect the confidentiality of individuals. As a result, some totals will not equal the sum of their components. It is important to note that cells with a zero value have not been affected by confidentialisation.