[Methodological aspects and results of complex long-term analysis of a perinatal/peripartum monitoring system. 1. Practical starting point].

Active area-covering action to prevent possible complications by early selection of potentially endangered women from among the entire female population of the area concerned, which should, desirably, be under fullest possible medical observation, this has come to be a major characteristic of modern obstetric medicine in the "most developed countries". Appropriate methods have to be devised for high-continuity optimisation of all organisational facilities herefore required. In this paper, methodical approaches are submitted for discussion, as a result of a comprehensive long-term analysis of patients in a big hospital. "Criteria of optimum" are covered in this first communication. Regional weight class rates, weight-class-standardised mortality and early morbidity (5' Apgar score) are proposed as criteria of universal applicability.