Definition of Live Birth
In the U.S., all live births of any birth weight or gestational age must be reported. Some countries have a different standard regarding what qualifies as a live birth. These differences in reporting live births impact comparisons of infant mortality from one country to another.
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Definition of a Live Birth
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A live birth, as defined in the U.S., is a birth in which a newborn, regardless of the length of his gestation, is born and demonstrates any sign of life, including a heartbeat, movement of voluntary muscles, umbilical pulsation or respiration.
Non Viable Birth
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A live birth does not always equal a viable birth, meaning the infant may not survive.
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Fetal Death
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A fetal death occurs prior to total expulsion or extraction from the mother. The fetus does not breathe on its own or show any signs of life, according to The Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Different Standards
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The definition for a live birth in the Soviet Union, which is still the standard in some countries, used breathing as the only indicator of life.
Classification
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Under the Soviet classification, any infant that is born before 28 weeks gestation and weighs less than 1,000 grams and is less than 35 centimeters long is not considered a live birth unless the infant lives for seven days and then dies.
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