Press Release

CEMACH Report – Stillbirth and neonatal death rates improve

23 June 2009

The latest figures from the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) Perinatal Mortality Surveillance Report 2007 show improvements in the stillbirth and neonatal death rates in the UK.

Figures show for the first time since 2000, a significant fall in the stillbirth rate from 5.7 per 1,000 births in 2002 – 2004 to 5.2 per 1, 000 births in 2007 and the lowest neonatal death rate since 2000 (3.3 per 1, 000 live births).

Maternal age was also noted to be a significant risk factor for stillbirths, perinatal and neonatal death and the figures also show an increasing trend of later motherhood. Teenage mothers (<20) had the highest neonatal mortality rate and older mothers (+40) had increased risk of having a stillbirth compared to younger mothers.

Mary Newburn, Head of Research and Information, NCT, says;

"The good news is that more babies are surviving with continued improvements in stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates, including improvements among twins. This is especially encouraging given that the birth rate in the UK has risen significantly (up 13.8% from 2000-2007) and in many areas maternity services are under additional pressure.

"Maternal age does appear to be an important factor for perinatal mortality with teenage mothers having the highest mortality rate.This demonstrates the need to continue to target services to young parents and other disadvantaged groups and to address the underlying factors that affect health and well being.

"The lower rate of intrapartum (during labour) stillbirth is also encouraging, however it is concerning that the report identified high rates of substandard care and we welcome the forthcoming CEMACH enquiry into intrapartum-related stillbirths."