Catastrophic results of the restrictive population policy in Romania
Presl, J.
Ceskoslovenska Gynekologie 56(1): 57-59
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0374-6852 PMID: 2044167 Document Number: 372535
The dictator Ceaucescu came to power in Romania in 1965, by which time the birth rate had decreased from 25 children/1000 fertile women in 1955 to 15.6/1000. Under a 1966 law, induced abortion was allowed only for women 45, for those with 4 or more children, or in life-threatening situations. IUDs, condoms, and spermicides were regulated to the black market. Pregnancies were registered, and women up to age 5 were subjected to a compulsory monthly gynecological examination at their workplace. The doctors' pay depended on the fulfillment of the prescribed monthly birth plan. Women aged 20-30 were given quarterly pregnancy tests whose outcome was checked by a regional demographic committee. Illegal induced abortion was punished with up to 12 years of imprisonment, and self-induced abortion was punished by 6 months to 2 years of prison. In 1984, the goal was set to increase the birth rate to 20/1000 to attain a population of 30 million by the year 2000. Instead the 1967 rate of 27.4/1000 dropped to 14.3/1000 by 1983. Maternal mortality increased from 86/100,000 live births in 1966 to 140 in 1981 and 150 in 1984, mostly abortion-related. In 1988, 519 maternal deaths occurred for 380,000 births (505 had to do with abortion). In 1985, infant mortality was 25.6/1000 live births. The premature birth rate was 16% in Bucharest in 1974 vs. 5-8% in the rest of Europe. 13,000 children (1500 in Bucharest) living in shelters maintained by the state were available for adoption for hard currency in Belgium, France, Israel, and Italy; the number of adoptions increased. Down's syndrome and mental retardation were prevalence among them.