Perinatal Health Data Dashboard 
About the Data

Perinatal Health Data Homepage

On this page: 
Final Birth File 
Infant Death Period Cohort File 
Birth and Fetal Death File 
Definitions 
Resources

More sources and definitions will be added as more data is added to the dashboard and overview pages.

Note: Data on dashboard charts and spreadsheets may not add up to 100% due to rounding, suppression, or the exclusion of missing and unknown values.

Sources and limitations

Minnesota Resident Final Birth File

Description

This data source contains birth certificate data for all live births born to residents of Minnesota, including residents who delivered in another state. The original data comes from the Minnesota Center for Health Statistics, Minnesota Vital Statistics System, and is cleaned and formatted for use by the Child and Family Health Division at the Minnesota Department of Health.

Birth certificate data includes demographics, such as age, education, race/ethnicity, of the mother/birthing parent, which is usually self-reported. Clinical information about the baby and mother/birthing parent is documented by staff who fill out the form.

Data reporting

When reporting data from the birth certificates, such as birth outcomes, usually data is reported as percentages. The numerator is the outcome of interest (for example, preterm births) and the denominator is the number of total live births. To determine the percentage, divide the number of live births with the specified outcome by the total number of live births and multiple by 100.

Percent (%) of preterm births in 2023:

= (# preterm births in 2023) / (# total live births in 2023) x 100

Limitations

Demographic data of the mother/birthing parent is usually reported by that person, but not always. There is the possibility of data entry errors and missing data (fields not completed). Additionally, the final data file usually has a delayed release, usually about one year after the end of the birth year (for example, 2023 data was available in 2025).

Minnesota Resident Infant Death Period Cohort File

Description

This data source is a linkage of birth and death information for all Minnesota residents who died before the age of 1, including resident deaths that occurred out of state. Death certificate data for infants is linked to their birth certificate data. The original data for both births and deaths comes from the Minnesota Center for Health Statistics, Minnesota Vital Statistics System, and is linked, cleaned, and formatted for use by the Child and Family Health Division at the Minnesota Department of Health.

Death certificate data includes information about an infant’s death, such as cause(s) and age at which they died. Death certificates are usually filled out by medical examiners, clinical staff, or other authorized people. Birth certificate data includes demographics, such as age, education, race/ethnicity, of the mother/birthing parent, which is usually self-reported. Clinical information about the baby and mother/birthing parent is documented by staff who fill out the form.

Data reporting

Infant death data is usually reported as the rate of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. The numerator is the number of infant deaths in the time period and the denominator is the number of total live births in that same time period. To determine the rate of infant deaths, divide the number of infant deaths by the number of total live births and multiple by 1,000. If a child is born in one year and dies the following year, they are included as a death in the year they died and as a birth in the year they were born.

Rate of infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023:

 = (# infant deaths in 2023) / (# total live births in 2023) x 1,000

Limitations

In some instances, infant death information cannot be linked to a birth record. When death information cannot link to a birth record, the infant deaths are kept in the period file but do not contain linked birth data. For example, an infant who died in 2023 but was unable to be linked to their 2022 birth, would be included as an infant death in 2023 but would not be included when looking at infant deaths by mother’s demographics (e.g. age at time of delivery). Additionally, there are some limitations to how infant death data can be reported due to the small number of infant deaths.

Minnesota Resident Birth and Fetal Death File

Description

This data source contains fetal death certificate data for all fetuses that died at 20 weeks gestation or later, and birth certificate data for all live births born to residents of Minnesota, including residents who delivered in another state. Fetal deaths are also known as stillbirths. The original data comes from the Minnesota Center for Health Statistics, Minnesota Vital Statistics System, and is cleaned and formatted for use by the Child and Family Health Division at the Minnesota Department of Health.

Fetal death data includes information about the fetus’ death, such as cause of death and the timing (gestational age) of fetal death. Usually, the fetal death certificate is filled out by staff at the facility where the delivery occurred. Birth certificate data includes demographics, such as age, education, race/ethnicity, of the mother/birthing parent, which is usually self-reported. Clinical information about the baby and mother/birthing parent is documented by staff who fill out the form.

Data reporting

Fetal death data is usually reported as the rate of fetal deaths per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths. The numerator is the number of fetal deaths in the time period and the denominator is the number of total live births PLUS the number of fetal deaths in that same time period. To be counted in the numerator, fetal deaths must also be included in the denominator because not all pregnancies result in a live birth. To determine the rate of fetal deaths, divide the number of fetal deaths by the number of total live births and fetal deaths and multiple by 1,000.

Rate of fetal deaths per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths in 2023:

 = (# fetal deaths in 2023) / (# total live births in 2023 + # fetal deaths in 2023) x 1,000

Limitations

There is not always a clear or specific reason for a fetal death, so the cause of death is often not known. That limitation is not unique to Minnesota and has been acknowledged as a limitation by the National Center for Health Statistics (Hoyert and Gregory). Additionally, there are some limitations to how fetal death data can be reported due to the small number of fetal deaths.

Definitions

Births, Deaths, and Fetal Deaths

Adequacy of use of prenatal care: uses two elements – when prenatal care began (initiation) and the number of prenatal care visits received. To classify the adequacy of received services, the number of prenatal visits is compared to the expected number of visits for the period between when care began and the delivery date. The expected number of visits is based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists prenatal care standards for uncomplicated pregnancies and is adjusted for the gestational age when care began and for the gestational age at delivery. It is also known as the Kotelchuck Index.

• Inadequate, no care:  mothers/birthing parents received less than 50% of expected visits (inadequate) or had no prenatal care visits (no care).
• Intermediate:  mothers/birthing parents received 50%-79% of the expected visits.
• Adequate:  mothers/birthing parents received 80%-109% of expected visits.
• Intensive:  mothers/birthing parents received 110% or more of expected visits. This usually is due to someone having a high-risk pregnancy or another reason that requires more regular prenatal care.

Age: of the mother/birthing parent at the time of delivery. This is based on self-reported data from birth certificates.

Birth year: the year an infant was born.

Cause of death (infant deaths):  the primary condition that contributed to an infant’s death. Categories based on federal guidance.

• All other: all conditions/codes not included in the other categories. Examples include but are not limited to: cancer of the brain [ICD-10 codes: C71], nutritional deficiencies [ICD-10 codes: E40-E64], and acute kidney failure [ICD-10 codes: N17].
• Congenital anomaly: also known as birth defects. These are conditions babies are born with, such as heart defects or spina bifida[ICD-10 codes: Q00-Q999].
• Infections: diseases caused by things such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. [ICD-10 codes: A00-B999, G00, G03, I30, I33, I40, J00-J429].
• Injury: damage to the body, such as by a car accident or accidental drowning [ICD-10 codes: J69, U01, V01-W74, W76-Y36].
• Other perinatal conditions: conditions that occur during the perinatal period, such as a newborn affected by maternal hypertensive disorders or a newborn affected by complication of labor and delivery. [ICD-10 codes: P00-P969].
• Prematurity: conditions caused when a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation, including situations where parts of the body are not fully developed.
  • Clinical gestational age is missing and ICD-10 codes: P22, P36, P77, K550, P000, P010, P011, P015, P020, P021, P027, P102, P280, P281, P070-P073, P250-P279, P520-P523.
  • Clinical gestational age <37 weeks and ICD-10 codes: K550, P000, P010, P011, P015, P020, P021, P027, P102, P280, P77, P070-P073, P220-P229, P250-P279, P360-P369, P520-P535.
• SIDS/SUID: sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) [ICD-10 codes: R95-R999, W75].

Death year: the year an infant or fetus died.

Education:  of the mother/birthing parent. It is based on self-reported data from birth certificates and is in categories based on the highest education level achieved.

Fetal death:  death of a fetus of at least 20 weeks gestation and before delivery. Also known as a stillbirth.

Foreign-born status:  of the mother/birthing parent. If mother/birthing parent was born in the United States (U.S.-born) or a country that was not the United States (foreign-born). This is based on self-reported data from birth certificates. Charts with a foreign-born status option of “All” do not include people with a missing or unknown foreign-born status.

Gestation:  age of a fetus, usually measured in weeks and days.

Infancy period:  the age of a live-born infant measured in days. Can be used to describe time of infant death. There are two main time groups, or ages of interest:

• Neonatal period:  from birth up to 28 days of age.
• Postneonatal period:  from 29 to 364 days of age.

Infant death:  death of a baby who was born alive and died before their first birthday.

Interpret with caution:  when data has small numbers, calculations like rates and percentages can vary and fluctuate dramatically from year to year or differ considerably from one small group or location to another. These “differences” may not be true differences and are statistically unstable. When the numbers are small we have to be careful drawing conclusions because the estimate can be caused by random variation.

Leading cause of death (fetal deaths):  the main condition/factor that contributed to a fetus’ death.

• All other causes:  all conditions/codes not included in the other categories. Examples include but are not limited to: congenital syphilis [ICD-10 codes: A50] and slow fetal growth and fetal malnutrition [ICD-10 codes: P05].
• Congenital malformations:  also known as birth defects. These are conditions babies are born with, such as heart defects or spina bifida [ICD-10 codes: Q00-Q999].
• Maternal complications:  pregnancy related conditions of the mother/birthing parent during the pregnancy that affect the newborn, such has having too little amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) [ICD-10 codes: P01].
• Maternal conditions unrelated to present pregnancy:  conditions of the mother/birthing person that affect the fetus, such as an infection or hypertension (high blood pressure) [ICD-10 codes: P00].
• Placental, cord and membrane complications:  pregnancy complications that affect the fetus, such as compression of the umbilical cord [ICD-10 codes: P02].
• Unspecified cause:  a stillbirth (fetal death) with no cause of death provided [ICD-10 codes: P95].

Low birth weight:  a baby weighing less than 2,500 grams (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces) at delivery.

Method of delivery:  the way in which a baby was delivered by the mother/birthing parent.

• Vaginal:  a baby delivered through the vagina, or birth canal, of the mother/birthing parent. Includes VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean).
• C-section:  a baby is surgically removed from the abdomen and uterus of the mother/birthing parent. Also known as a cesarean section.

Minnesota regions:  based on State Community Health Services Advisory Committee (SCHSAC) regions. This is determined using the mother’s/birthing parent’s county of residence, which is usually self-reported on birth certificates. There are eight regions:

• Central:  Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, Wright
• Metro:  Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington
• Northeast:  Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Saint Louis
• Northwest:  Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau
• South Central:  Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, Watonwan
• Southeast:  Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona
• Southwest:  Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, Yellow Medicine
• West Central:  Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin

Minnesota resident:  the mother/birthing person lived in Minnesota at the time of the event (e.g. delivery). For infant outcomes (e.g. infant death, preterm births) residency is based on where the mother/birthing parent lived at the time of the event.

Mother/birthing parent: any person who gives births.

• Note: We recognize that not all people who become pregnant in Minnesota identify as women, or as a mother or father after the birth of the child (such as surrogates). To honor all those in our communities who experience pregnancy, we incorporate gender inclusive language such as birthing parent throughout the dashboard pages and documents. However, “mother” or “women” may still be used when referring to some statistics to accurately reflect the terms used at time of data collection.

Mother/birthing parent received prenatal care: if the mother/birthing parent received prenatal care at any time during pregnancy, they are marked Yes for receiving prenatal care. If they received no prenatal care, they are marked No for receiving prenatal care.

Payment source of the birth: the type of insurance, if any, that paid for the delivery. This comes from the birth certificate data. It is categorized as Medicaid and non-Medicaid. Non-Medicaid includes options such as private insurance and self-pay.

Preterm birth: a baby born before 37 weeks gestation.

Race/ethnicity: race/ethnicity of the mother/birthing parent, based on self-reported data from birth certificates. Categories are mutually exclusive, meaning a person falls into one category. All race/ethnicity categories are non-Hispanic, except for the Hispanic category.

Statistically unstable: when data has small numbers, calculations like rates and percentages can vary and fluctuate dramatically from year to year or differ considerably from one small group or location to another. These “differences” may not be true differences and should be interpreted with caution. When the numbers are small we have to be careful drawing conclusions because the estimate can be caused by random variation.

Suppression: when data is not shown due to very small numbers. Not showing data with very small numbers helps protect the privacy of individuals and their families. Data is suppressed when:

• There are fewer than 10 total live births.
• There are fewer than 10 total live births or fetal deaths.
• There are between one and five outcomes of interest (e.g. preterm births).
  • When there are zero outcomes of interest, the data is not suppressed.

Timing of fetal death:  the gestational age at which the fetus died. There are two main time periods of interest:

• Early:  between 20- and 27-weeks gestation.
• Late: 28 or more weeks gestation, prior to delivery.

Total live births:  number of live born babies, during the selected time frame.

When prenatal care was started:  The time during pregnancy when the mother/birthing parent first received prenatal care.

• First trimester: prenatal care started between conception to 13 weeks of pregnancy.
• Second trimester:  prenatal care started between 14 to 27 weeks of pregnancy.
• Third trimester or no care:  prenatal care started between 28 to 40 weeks of pregnancy, or prenatal care never started.

Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) participation:  if the mother/birthing parent received WIC program assistance, such as food and infant formula, they are marked Yes to WIC participation. If they did not receive WIC assistance, they are marked as No to WIC participation. This data is self-reported by the mother/birthing parent.

Resources

Hoyert DL, Gregory ECW. Cause-of-death data from the fetal death file, 2018-2020. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 71 no 7. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. DOI: CDC: Cause-of-death Data From the Fetal Death File, 2018-2020.