REGIONAL ASPECTS OF STILLBIRTH RATES IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN 2008

Objective. To study the regional aspects of stillbirth from its rates and causes as a basis for elaborating measures for its reduction. Material and methods. The 2008 official statistical data in the Russian Federation (RF) and its areas were studied. An aggregate of RF’s subjects was divided according to the rate, by applying the percentile distribution. Results. The study indicated that stillbirth rates were at the 2nd percentile (5.25‰) in the bulk of RF areas (n = 36 or 43.4%). Stillbirth rates at the 3rd percentile (6.375‰) were noted in 20 (24.1%) areas and those at the 1st percentile (less than 4.125‰) were in 16 (19.3%) areas and those at the 4th percentile (as high as 7.5‰) in 11 (13.2%) areas. The presented data clearly demonstrate that there were differences in percentile distribution of stillbirth rates by the federal districts of the Russian Federation. The areas at the 1st percentile (less than 4.125‰) ranged from 33.4% in the Siberian Federal District (SiFD) to 5.6% in the Central Federal District (CFD). Those with stillbirth rates at the 2nd percentile did from 61.5% in the South Federal District to 28.6% in the Volga Federal District (VFD). The areas with stillbirth rates at the 3rd percentile varied from 42.8% in the VFD to 7.7% in the SoFD. Those with as high as 7.5‰ rate did from 8.3% in SiFD to 27.8% in the CFD. Conclusion. When elaborating the measures to reduce stillbirth rates, one should use the experience in organizing an obstetric service of the areas with low rates that could be obtained, by decreasing causes, such as birth injury, birth asphyxia, and congenital malformations.

stillbirth rates, percentiles, centile distribution for the assessment of regional features, fetal causes of stillbirth, maternal causes of stillbirth