Perinatal outcome in Berlin (Germany) among immigrants from Turkey

Purpose Are there differences regarding important perinatal outcome-parameters in Berlin relating to ethnicity? Patients and methods A database was available covering 152,193 single deliveries in all hospitals in Berlin/Germany in the period 1993–1999, including 132,555 German women and 19,638 women of other ethnicities. Comparisons were made between a total of four pairs of sub-groups matched in terms of parity and social status (significance level P < 0.01). Results Pregnant migrants come for their first antenatal check-up significantly later, thus delaying the initiation of necessary diagnostic or therapeutic measures. Migrants show higher rates of prepartal and also postpartal anemia than the German women. In all sub-groups the German women had a significantly higher frequency of planned cesarean sections. Migrants were significantly less likely to receive an epidural anesthesia during delivery. It is also noticeable that the rate of congenital malformations of neonates is significantly higher in the migrant collectives. Conclusions Important perinatal quality parameters such as infant and maternal mortality and rates of premature delivery have largely converged between German and Turkish migrant mothers. The differences found (e.g., rates of planned cesarean section, epidural anesthesia, or anemia) could be interpreted as indications of persistent differences in quality of care for migrants.