The European Perinatal Health Report: The Health and Care of Pregnant Women and Babies in Europe in 2010 released by the Euro-Peristat project is the most comprehensive report on the health and care of pregnant women and babies in Europe. The 250-page report brings together data from 26 European Union member states, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. The first Euro-Peristat report, with data for 2004, was published in 2008. It found wide differences between the countries of Europe in indicators of perinatal health and care. This second report provides the opportunity to see whether gains in positive health outcomes have been achieved and whether inequalities between the countries of Europe have narrowed.

Euro-Peristat takes a new approach to health reporting. Instead of comparing countries on single indicators like infant mortality using a ‘league table’ approach, our report paints a fuller picture by presenting data about mortality, low birthweight and preterm birth alongside data about health care and maternal characteristics that can affect the outcome of pregnancy. It also illustrates differences in the ways that data are collected, and explains how these can affect comparisons between countries.

The European Perinatal Health report: The Health and Care of Pregnant Women and Babies in Europe in 2010 also contains data from two other European projects: Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE), European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (EUROCAT).

For more information and download the report please see  EURO-PERISTAT Project