Converging or diverging trajectories of mortality under one year of age in the Baltic States: a comparison with the European Union

Abstract Background Information about trends in perinatal and child health inequalities is scarce, especially the Eastern Europe. We analyzed how mortality under 1 year of age has been changing Baltic States European Union (EU) over 25 years, what associations occurred between changes macroeconomic factors mortality. Methods Data on fetal, neonatal, infant mortality, were extracted from WHO database. Joinpoint regression analysis was performed to analyze time trajectories 1990–2014. also investigated expenditures Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contributed Results The reduction neonatal countries led convergence with EU. In Estonia this process fastest, then rates tended diverge. strongest effect related annual increase expenditure GDP which had same year, a decrease fetal associated an 4th 5th respectively, following initial change. Conclusions These findings outlined convergences divergences compared patterns Our data highlighted need define policy directions aimed at implementation effective intervention modalities addressing risks prenatal early life.