Chen L M, Sun C A, Wu D M, Shen M H, Lee W C
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taiwan, ROC.
J Epidemiol Community Health. 1998 May;52(5):289-92. doi: 10.1136/jech.52.5.289.
The accuracy of the official statistic on infant deaths in Taiwan has been questioned. This study aimed to survey infant deaths nationwide, to measure associated vital statistics, and compare them with the official statistics to assess accuracy.
A nationwide survey of all gestational outcomes occurring at > or = 20 weeks' gestation over a three day study period (15-17 May 1989) was conducted to collect data from 23 counties and cities nationwide using a two stage data collection procedure.
The survey derived infant death rate was 9.72 per 1000 live births, which was higher than the reported official statistic of 5.71 per 1000 live births. A more detailed examination of data on infant deaths showed that the estimated neonatal death rate of 6.68 per 1000 live births (95% confidence intervals: 3.33, 11.96 per 1000 live births) was significantly higher than the published official statistic of 1.94 per 1000 live births, while the postneonatal mortality of 3.04 per 1000 live births was comparable to the reported statistic of 3.37 per 1000 live births.
This study empirically documented the underregistration of infant deaths in Taiwan, particularly those occurring during the first 27 days of life.
台湾官方关于婴儿死亡的统计数据准确性受到质疑。本研究旨在对全国范围内的婴儿死亡情况进行调查，测量相关生命统计数据，并与官方统计数据进行比较以评估准确性。
在为期三天的研究期间（1989年5月15 - 17日），对全国23个县市所有妊娠20周及以上的妊娠结局进行了全国性调查，采用两阶段数据收集程序收集数据。
调查得出的婴儿死亡率为每1000例活产9.72例，高于官方报告的每1000例活产5.71例。对婴儿死亡数据的更详细检查显示，估计的新生儿死亡率为每1000例活产6.68例（95％置信区间：每1000例活产3.33例，11.96例），显著高于公布的官方统计数据每1000例活产1.94例，而后新生儿死亡率每1000例活产3.04例与报告的每1000例活产3.37例相当。
本研究通过实证记录了台湾婴儿死亡登记不足的情况，尤其是出生后27天内发生的死亡。
