WHO-HFA definition of live birth: Live birth is the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of the pregnancy, which, after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached; each product of such a birth is considered live-born.
The number of live births includes all live births during the given calendar year, irrespective of registration of the date of birth. WHO receives for most countries the number of live births as part of the annual reporting of mortality and population data.
Differences among countries exist in including or excluding live births to non-residents or to residents living abroad.
Czech Republic: Czech national definition specifies livebirth by: at least one sign of life and either:
- a) weight of 500+ grams or
- b) weight less than 500 grams and survival for 24 hours after birth.
| Estonia: 1970-1991 a different definition of live birth is used: if birth-weight was under 1000 grams and child died within first week, it was not considered a live birth.
Ireland: 2003-2004 figures are provisional.
Poland: Since 1-7-1994 the standard WHO definitions of live births were introduced. Birth weight criteria is also at least 500 grams. Previously, all births were divided into four groups: live births, still-births, unable to live with signs of life, unable to live without signs of life. The criteria for birth weight was at least 601 grams.
|
