Ethnic determinants of perinatal statistics of Chinese: demography of China, Hong Kong and Singapore

Despite limited health resources, the Chinese have achieved reasonably good perinatal and neonatal mortality rates comparable to those of many developed countries. China, Hong Kong and Singapore, areas with different socioeconomic structures, have shared the same favourable ethnic determinants of perinatal mortality. The Chinese have much lower incidence of very low birthweight babies (less than 1000 g) and lethal congenital anomalies. The former is probably related to the rarity of teenage pregnancy, maternal smoking and alcohol consumption. Asphyxia remains a major contributor to perinatal deaths. The perinatal mortality rate in mainland China has remained relatively unchanged in contrast to the dramatic falling trend in Hong Kong and Singapore in the past two decades. This may be accounted for by differences in socioeconomic conditions despite their identical ethnic origin. Studying the Chinese sociocultural pattern may have a great impact on perinatal mortality by preventing low birthweight babies.