[Centralization of obstetric care and perinatal mortality in Norwegian counties 1986-90. Analysis based on public statistics from the medical birth registry].

The relationship between centralization of obstetric care and perinatal mortality was studied in 19 Norwegian counties for the period 1986-90. No significant trend was found. However, during the period 1988-1990 prenatal mortality was significantly higher, with a relative risk of 1.21 (95% confidence interval 1.00-1.45), in the three counties with only one obstetric department than it was in all other counties. The analysis did not support the notion that greater centralization of obstetric care would decrease perinatal mortality.