[Prematurity, hypotrophy and perinatal mortality in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 1980-1982].

In the Grand-Duchy of Luxemburg, a birth medical form is used on a voluntary basis in 7 maternity units. Statistical data concerning 7,015 births from 1980 to 1982 are reported. The study population represented 54% of the total births in the country. Perinatal mortality rate was 10.7%. In this series, 45% of deaths were due to obstetrical causes and 12% to congenital malformations. The prematurity rate was 5.1%. The ratio of babies less than 2,500 g was 5.7%. The interaction of prematurity and dysmaturity on mortality is analysed. The two risk factors seem to interact according to an additive model. The value of the relative risk of mortality is 43 for prematurity and 4 for dysmaturity. 67% of perinatal deaths were associated with prematurity and only 17% with dysmaturity.