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  • Title: Seasonal variation of neonatal and infant deaths by cause in Greece.
    Author: Apostolidou I, Katsouyanni K, Touloumi G, Kalpoyannis N, Constantopoulos A, Trichopoulos D.
    Journal: Scand J Soc Med; 1994 Mar; 22(1):74-80. PubMed ID: 8029671.
    Abstract:
    The seasonal variation of neonatal and infant deaths in Greece was analyzed for nine consecutive years (1979-1987) by cause of death, age of death and urbanization of permanent residence. Data were supplied by the National Statistical Service of Greece. Statistical analysis was done using the Edward's method. The seasonal patterns of the number of deaths and death rates were similar. Neonatal deaths in total did not show significant seasonality but postneonatal deaths showed seasonal variation with a peak in the winter, more evident in rural areas. Neonatal deaths from prematurity showed statistically significant seasonal variation with a peak in May. Postneonatal deaths from infections and mainly those from pneumonia showed very significant seasonal variation with a peak in February that was more prominent in rural areas. Seasonal pattern with peak in late winter was also found for postneonatal deaths from injuries. The seasonal patterns for neonatal and postneonatal deaths from sudden infant death syndrome were suggestive of an increased occurrence during the winter months mainly in urban areas. The data were provided by a search in the National Statistical Service of Greece (NSSG), and covered the period from January 1, 1979 through December 31, 1987, for all infant deaths in Greece. Data on live births were taken from the annual statistical reports of NSSG. Statistical analysis was done by means of the Edward's method. The seasonal patterns of the number of deaths and death rates (per 1000 live-born) were almost identical for the 2 parts of the period studied, for the years 1979 and 1987. 1979-83 and 1984-87 were treated separately for the neonatal period and for the postneonatal period. The number of neonatal and early neonatal deaths did not show significant seasonality in the total period, in either the urban or the rural areas, although the peaks for early neonatal deaths in 8 out of 9 studied years were in the spring and summer. The maximum number of postneonatal deaths was observed during January-February, representing a 60-90% increase compared to the minimum number of deaths, and the difference was more evident in the rural areas of residence in 1979-83. Neonatal deaths from prematurity showed statistically significant seasonal variation with a peak in May, more prominent in urban areas. Postneonatal deaths from infections showed statistically significant seasonal variation with a peak in February more prominent in rural areas and in the 1979-83 period. Postneonatal deaths from pneumonia showed very significant seasonal variation, with a peak in February more prominent in rural areas and in the 1979-83 period. Neonatal deaths from sepsis showed increased occurrence in May, whereas postneonatal deaths from sepsis and from enteric infections did not show significant seasonality. Deaths from injuries showed a statistically significant peak during January-February, in both urban and rural areas, in the postneonatal period. Neonatal and postneonatal deaths from sudden infant death syndrome were more common during the winter (December-January-February) in urban areas.
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