Stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates in the UK have shown a downward trend since 2000, says the Perinatal Mortality 2009 report, published by the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries (CMACE).
In 2009 there were 790,781 live births in the UK. There were 4,125 stillbirths, 6,070 perinatal deaths and 2,511 neonatal deaths. The stillbirth rate has decreased from 5.4 per 1,000 total births in 2000, to 5.2 per 1,000 total births in 2009. The perinatal mortality rate showed a downward trend from 8.3 per 1,000 total births in 2000 to 7.6 per 1,000 total births in 2009 and the neonatal mortality rate decreased from 3.9 per 1,000 live births in 2000, to 3.2 per 1,000 live births in 2009. The report also includes trends in mortality rates in the UK, and mortality rate comparisons between nations, Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs), Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), Neonatal Networks, and maternity service providers. The South East Coast had the lowest stillbirth rate of 3.8 per 1,000 total births and Yorkshire and the Humber had the highest stillbirth rate of 5.3 per 1,000 total births. In addition, the report found links between stillbirths and neonatal deaths and age. Mothers who had stillbirths and neonatal deaths were more likely to be less than 25 years-old or 40+ years-old. Mothers less than 20 years old were 1.4 times more likely to have a stillbirth and 1.2 times more likely to have a neonatal death than mothers of 25-29. 40+ years old mothers were 1.7 and 1.3 times more likely to have a stillbirth or neonatal death respectively, compared to mothers of 25-29.
