Abstract 209

Aim. To investigate the effects of maternal age, parity, smoking and educational level on the risk for stillbirth and neonatal death

Subjects. The study is based on 7703 stillbirths or neonatal deaths among infants born in Sweden 1983-1992.

Methods. Data are extracted from central registries in Sweden. A previously described hierarchic classification of causes of deaths was used.

Results. The following associations were found. High maternal age: death due to congenital anomaly, maternal disease, unexplained SGA, obstetric complications, and unexplained stillbirth. Low maternal age: death from specific infant conditions, including SIDS. Parity 4+: death from multiple birth or from specific infant conditions. Parity 1: Death due to maternal disease, unexplained SGA, stillbirth, asphyxia or immaturity. Maternal smoking: death from unexplained SGA and placental abruption. Maternal education: Negative trends for death from congenital anomaly, maternal disease, unexplained SGA, and obstetric complications.

Conclusions. The study shows that the cause-specific groups of the classification system differ in their associations with known risk factors for stillbirth and neonatal deaths.