Data from 1993 on a set of essential quality indicators on perinatal care identified and validated as part of the OBSQID project were collected from 29 countries in the European region. Regional differences between NIS, CCEE and Western European countries in indicators on fetal death during delivery, eclampsia, caesarean section, early neonatal mortality and preterm birth are presented and discussed.

Common European quality indicators in perinatal care, will make it possible to exchange data at regional, national and transnational levels and to monitor, evaluate and identify “best practices” in order to improve the quality and outcome of perinatal care in the European region. Although valuable information can be obtained merely by analyzing aggregated data, it is concluded that collection of case-based data using computerized information systems will further improve usefulness of quality indicators for continous quality development in perinatal care.