The effect of urban socioeconomic problems on perinatal statistics in Milwaukee, 1983-1991.

Perinatal statistics in an urban environment are analyzed over a 9-year period. Perinatal outcome parameters in 27,986 deliveries are analyzed. The number of prenatal visits, low birth weight, illicit drug use, perinatal mortality, race, and age are studied. Perinatal outcome worsened after 1986 for patients with less than five prenatal visits, but not for patients with adequate prenatal care. Adequacy of prenatal care, preventable perinatal mortality, and low birth weight rates worsened for all patients, but disproportionately for black patients. Pregnancies of women of aged 18 to 35 had the highest risk for adverse outcomes. These deteriorating perinatal statistics represent a serious social and public health challenge.