Documentation sheet
Definition of indicator
Calculation (numerator, denominator)
Additional underlying concepts
Relevant dimensions (subgroups)
Preferred data sources
Rationale
Data availability, quality and periodicity
References
Work to do
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Low birth weight Proportion of live births of low birth weight per 100 live births in a given year. |
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Calculation (numerator, denominator) Number of live births weighing less than 2500 grams in a given year, expressed as a percentage of total number of live births of any birth weight. |
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Additional underlying concepts Birth weight is an accurately measured indicator. Babies can be low birth weight because they are born early, because they are growth restricted or both. Information on gestational age is essential for distinguishing between these groups. Peristat recommends: i) proportion of births within 500 g intervals, expressed as a proportion of all registered live and stillbirths. (Also by vital status at birth, gestational age, plurality). Classify gestational age by (live and stillbirths) 22-36 weeks (preterm), 37-41 weeks (term), 41+ weeks (post-term). ii) proportion of births under 1500 grams, expressed as a proportion of all registered live and stillbirths. |
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Relevant dimensions (subgroups) Country (also region), calendar year, age. Also vital status at birth, gestational age and plurality. |
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(1) Eurostat, WHO, OECD: routinely collected, based on national birth or perinatal registries. |
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Important indicator for pregnancy conditions and perinatal care. Low birth weight is associated with health-problems later in life. |
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Data availability, quality and periodicity Eurostat preferred. Eurostat, WHO, OECD: all use the same definition. Time series available for all MSs, regularly updated based on national data. Figures in all 3 databases should be similar. Comparisons between countries in Europe need to take into consideration differences in average birthweight and in birthweight distributions. PERISTAT is conducting a feasibility study to test the availability of data for constructing these indicators in the member states. This study will permit the scientific advisory committee to further refine the working list of indicators. Data collected 2000 and 2004. |
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- WHO, OECD, Eurostat databses: - Peristat |
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Data Presentations
More indicator information will follow in due time. |
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What the indicator is meant to measure. If not unambiguous, all acceptable alternatives are to be listed in numbered preference order. The final decision on preference order/numbering is to be made by ECHIM coregroup.
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How to calculate the indicator (method, numerator, denominator, etc), in the same preference order as above if more than one alternative.
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Why the indicator is measured the chosen way (prevalence, incidence, mortality, absolute numbers etc.)? Also reasons for the preferred definition and calculation details can be included here.
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Should the indicator be stratified by e.g. age, gender, socio-economic status and area
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The type of data source; in the same preference order as above (typically either register data or HIS/HES).
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Why is this indicator important, from the public health point of view. (For example: size or dynamics of the problem/issue, evidence of the relevance of the issue in public health terms (for determinants) or evidence of intervention effectiveness (for prevention or care issues)).
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The recommended data source (e.g. Eurostat, OECD, WHO, national registers or HIS/HES, project databases etc.), in the same preference order as above; some notes on the quality and availability of the data for the indicator. Eventually, also information on the availability in coutries, as derived from the ECHIM survey.
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References to original publications, websites, EHIS-question/naire, PHP projects, etc.
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What should be done to improve and complete this sheet. Eventually, this cell should be blank.
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