Report on perinatal statistics for 2003: Health Policy and Information Division. HIPE ( Hospital In-Patient Enquiry) and NPRS (National Perinatal Reporting System) Unit, ESRI.

The collection and analysis of national perinatal data is a large undertaking and the compilation of
\nan accurate and comprehensive database on a timely basis is greatly dependent on the commitment
\nand support of those at the forefront of collecting the data. Principal among these are the staff of
\nthe maternity hospitals and units as well as the many independent midwives involved in practice. We
\nwould like to express our sincere appreciation to all who contribute to the accurate recording and
\ntimely notification of statistical information for all births nationally.
\nData on just over 61,989 births were analysed for this report. For each of these records additional
\ninformation, apart from that required to register each birth, had to be collected in each hospital and
\nby each independent midwife. This information was compiled and validated by the National Perinatal
\nReporting Sy.st·em (NPRS) within the Health Policy & Information Division to create a national
\ndatabase, which has been analysed for the production of this report of perinatal events.
\nIn addition to funding the work of the HIPE & NPRS Unit at the ESRI, the Department of Health and
\nChildren continues to provide essential support for the operation and development of the NPRS. We
\n-would like to acknowledge, in particular, the advice and assistance provided by Hugh Magee and
\nCiara O'Shea in the preparation of this report. We are also very grateful to Dr. Michael Robson,
\nMaster, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin for his valuable input and comments on an earlier draft
\nof this report.