The IGAS report examines and sheds light on the situation regarding perinatal care in France over the past fifteen years or so. This has resulted in an infant mortality rate of 4 per 1,000 for the year 2024.

Based on an in-depth analysis of the available data and the regional organisation of healthcare provision, the report notes a rise in infant mortality, mainly linked to an increase in neonatal mortality, and identifies this as part of a multifactorial phenomenon combining demographic, social and economic factors.

The report also highlights regional health inequalities, particularly in the overseas territories and in the Île-de-France region, as well as an infant mortality rate higher than in many European countries.

Contrary to popular belief, the review finds that the restructuring of maternity services undertaken over several decades does not, on its own, explain this deterioration. Similarly, it does not appear that a standard model for the optimal regional organisation of maternity services can be put forward in a convincing manner.

Taking action before and after pregnancy

In order to reduce the risk of infant mortality, the task force instead emphasises the importance of taking action before birth, during pregnancy, to better prevent and identify high-risk situations, as well as afterwards, to strengthen the care provided to the most vulnerable newborns. To address these challenges, the report sets out several recommendations: strengthening the role of maternal and child health services (PMI), consolidating the perinatal information system, improving the perinatal pathway for women and young children, and implementing a national strategic plan for perinatal care for the period 2027–2030.

Finally, the task force recommends that each region carry out a joint assessment to enable the organisation of perinatal care provision to be adapted to local needs, adopting a pragmatic approach based first and foremost on public health imperatives.