[Regional distribution and temporal development of infant mortality in West Germany 1973-1988].

Infant mortality was documented for the Federal Republic of Germany as well as for the individual Federal Laender (before German unification) during 1973 and 1988. 31 Cause-of-Death groups, 5 Age-of-Death groups, and both sexes were considered. During the observation period the infant mortality rate decreased to 1/3 of the value of 1973 and is now well below 1%. The temporal decrease of infant mortality is different with regard to causes of death, age of death, sex, and Federal Land: Infant mortality due to congenital malformations decreased to about one half within the observation period, but its relative contribution to all natural causes of death increased from about 20% in 1973 to about 30% in 1988.