Inferences about abortion from foetal mortality data

In a longitudinal fertility study in Detroit the evidence indicates that the foetal mortality rate in the prospective periods are better reported than in retrospective parts of the fertility histories. While the data do not specifically differentiate between induced abortions and other foetal deaths, the foetal death rates vary in relation to other social and demographic characteristics of the couples in such a way as make induced abortion a consistently plausible explanation of differentials. Foetal mortality rates tend to be high among sub-groups which have the incentive, information and the financial means for induced abortions. If these inferences are correct, it is likely that there is a considerable practice of induced abortion.