This statistic shows the number of births in Quebec, Canada from 2000 to 2023. Between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, a total of 79,050 people were born in Quebec.

Number and percentage of live births, by month of birth, 1991 to most recent year.

BackgroundCree births in Quebec are characterized by the highest reported prevalence of macrosomia (~35%) in the world. It is unclear whether Cree births are at greater elevated risk of perinatal and infant mortality than other First Nations relative to non-Aboriginal births in Quebec, and if macrosomia may be related.MethodsThis was a population-based retrospective birth cohort study using the linked birth-infant death database for singleton births to mothers from Cree (n = 5,340), other First Nations (n = 10,810) and non-Aboriginal (n = 229,960) communities in Quebec, 1996–2010. Community type was ascertained by residential postal code and municipality name. The primary outcomes were perinatal and infant mortality.ResultsMacrosomia (birth weight for gestational age >90th percentile) was substantially more frequent in Cree (38.0%) and other First Nations (21.9%) vs non-Aboriginal (9.4%) communities. Comparing Cree and other First Nations vs non-Aboriginal communities, perinatal mortality rates were 1.52 (95% confidence intervals 1.17, 1.98) and 1.34 (1.10, 1.64) times higher, and infant mortality rates 2.27 (1.71, 3.02) and 1.49 (1.16, 1.91) times higher, respectively. The risk elevations in perinatal and infant death in Cree communities attenuated after adjusting for maternal characteristics (age, education, marital status, parity), but became greater after further adjustment for birth weight (small, appropriate, or large for gestational age).ConclusionsCree communities had greater risk elevations in perinatal and infant mortality than other First Nations relative to non-Aboriginal communities in Quebec. High prevalence of macrosomia did not explain the elevated risk of perinatal and infant mortality in Cree communities.

Mean age of mother at time of delivery, 1991 to most recent year.

Birth outcomes, perinatal and infant mortality in Cree, other First Nations and non-Aboriginal communities, Quebec 1996–2010.

Characteristics of singleton births in Cree, other First Nations and Non-Aboriginal communities in Quebec, 1996–2010.

The number of maternal deaths and maternal mortality rates for selected causes, 2000 to most recent year.

Perinatal and infant mortality rates comparing SGA or LGA to AGA births within Cree, other First Nations and non-Aboriginal communities in Quebec 1996–2010.

Crude and adjusted RRs of perinatal and infant mortality comparing births in Cree, other First Nations vs. Non-Aboriginal communities, Quebec 1996–2010.

SGA = small-for-gestational-age (birth weight 90th percentile); LBW = low birth weight (4000 g); FN = First Nations; Non-Ab = Non-Aboriginal; RR = relative risk; CI = confidence interval*Birth outcomes are based on a composite Aboriginal birth identifier using three sources of information: mother tongue, residential postal code and municipality name, or Indian Registration System membership; mortality outcomes for First Nations were based on 16700 First Nations births identified by mother tongue or residential postal code and municipality, see Methods for details.Birth outcomes, perinatal and infant mortality in First Nations, Inuit and Non-Aboriginal singleton births in the study cohort, Quebec 1996–2010.

Life expectancy at birth and at age 65, by sex, on a three-year average basis.