Pregnancy and perinatal health in Inner Mongolia, China, 1996-1999

Objective: To obtain descriptive measures of maternal and perinatal health in the Ba Men Region of Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: Data collected from the Examination Chart for Pregnant Women for approximately 22,000 pregnancies in a three-county area of Inner Mongolia, China from December 1, 1996 through December 31, 1999 were analyzed for maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes. Results: Compared to selected developing countries, a higher percentage of women (99%) in this region received at least one prenatal care visit. This region was also characterized by a low percentage of low birthweight (< 2.5 kg) infants (1%) and neonatal mortality rate (5 deaths per 1000 live births). Conclusions: Maternal and neonatal health outcomes in this region of Inner Mongolia were better than those in selected developing countries.