A comparison of mothers and infants of different ethnic origins delivering in the British Military Hospital, Hong Kong, 1976-1985.

The majority of infants being delivered in the British Military Hospital, Hong Kong are of British, Chinese or Nepalese origin. This paper compares perinatal data from these three groups of mothers and their babies, and in particular looks at the variations in perinatal mortality rates over the 10 year period 1976-1985. Mortality among the British babies has declined in a way similar to many areas of Britain. The Chinese have a very low perinatal mortality rate probably due to fewer preterm, multiple and abnormal births, but mortality has increased over the last 10 years and there is evidence that the rise may be due to changes in maternal health. The incidence of pregnancy associated hypertension has increased threefold among the Chinese. The Nepalese have a perinatal mortality similar to that of the British, much lower than that expected had they delivered in Nepal, and this probably reflects the application of modern obstetric care to these mothers. In all groups there has been a rise in instrumental deliveries but this is most marked among the Chinese in whom there has also been a significant increase in infants with low apgar scores. The Nepalese have the lowest incidence of forceps and operative deliveries and possible reasons for these differences are discussed.