Childbirth and newborns statistics by region

Labour – the contraction of muscles of uterus with complete expulsion of ovule of fetus in 22 weeks or later from the first day of the last menstrual period.

-Term labour – during from 37 to 42 weeks of gestation.
-Preterm labour – during from 22 to 36 weeks of gestation.
-Postterm labour – during after 42 weeks of gestation.

Newborn– infant in age from the birth till 28 day (till age 27 days 23 hours and 59 minutes).

Live births – is complete expulsion or extraction of a fetus from its mother, irrespective of the duration of the pregnancy, who, after such separation, breathes or shows any other signs of life, such as a heartbeat, 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.

Birth weight – the first weight of the fetus or newborn determined after birth. For live births, birth weight should preferably be determined within the first hour of life, before significant postnatal weight loss occurs. The definitions of “low”, “very low” and “extremely low” birth weight don’t constitute mutually exclusive categories (i.e. “low” includes “very low” and “extremely low”, while “very low” includes “extremely low”).

Mature newborn – morphologically and functionally fully developed, term newborn or stillborn with a birth weight no less than 2500 grams and gestational age between 37 to 42 completed weeks.

Premature – a preterm newborn or stillborn with extremely low (500-999 grams), very low (1000-1499 grams) or low (1500-2499 grams) birth weight and has prematurity signs and difficulties of adaptation in the perinatal period which are proportional of the degree of prematurity and gestation under 37 completed weeks.

Complete antenatal care – women has registered for antenatal care timely (until 12th gestational week) and received it in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 611 “Procedures for providing childbirth assistance” Annex 1.

Incomplete antenatal care – antenatal care has not been performed in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 611 “Procedures for providing childbirth assistance” Annex 1.

Without antenatal care – woman has not registered for antenatal care and has not received it.

Out-of-hospital deliveries – childbirth occurred unplanned at home, in vehicle, elsewhere.

Statistical region– data are classified by region of the healthcare institution according Cabinet of Ministers Order No. 911 “On statistical regions of the Republic of Latvia and their administrative units”. Until 2024 region of the healthcare institution was classified according to Cabinet of Ministers Order No. 271 “On statistical regions of the Republic of Latvia and their administrative units”.

Medical Birth register, Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia

The Register contains information on newborns and their birth conditions. There is data on all newborns born in medical institutions in Latvia, as well as out-of-hospitals (including planned home births), in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 328 "Medical Birth Register regulations".

The register contains data on the mother, previous pregnancies, childbirth, the current pregnancy and childbirth, and the newborn health status. Please note that the information in the Register is provided by the medical facility after discharge of the newborn from the maternity unit / ward.

Statistical Yearbook of Health Care in Latvia Link

The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia

Janis Misins

Head of the Health Statistics Unit

Phone Number: +371 67501582

Last updated: 02.12.2024.