The Perinatal Mortality Surveillance report from MBRRACE-UK said 698,909 babies were born at 24 weeks or over in the UK from January 1 to December 31 2021, an increase of 1.5% on 2020, reversing an eight-year-long trend of “consistent reduction”.
Late fetal loss, #stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates increased in almost all gestational age groups between 2020 and 2021, with the increase being greatest for stillbirth rates in the 28-31 weeks’ gestation group and neonatal death rates in the 24-27 weeks’ gestation group. pic.twitter.com/r5oPSZ8IlW
— MBRRACE UK (@mbrrace) September 14, 2023
Charities say the report paints ‘an alarming picture of baby loss’.
During the period, 3.54 per 1,000 babies were stillborn, up from 3.33 per 1,000 births in 2020.
Neonatal deaths, those babies who die within a month, also rose to 1.65 from 1.53
State of the Nation report on perinatal deaths in 2021 released today. Report, infographic, reference tables, and technical manual available at https://t.co/fTfcJoqPX0 and via https://t.co/fFx5yHMOyk pic.twitter.com/4gyDbeU9o5
— MBRRACE UK (@mbrrace) September 14, 2023
The Mail Online reports: Rates increased among all gestational age groups, with a 12% jump in stillbirths among babies born between 28 and 31 weeks.
Babies born before 37 weeks accounted for 75% of stillbirths and late foetal losses, as well as 73% of neonatal deaths.
The most common causes of stillbirth were placental, congenital anomalies, cord and infection, with more than half (51.7%) falling into these groups.
But there was a “substantial proportion” of stillbirths where the cause of death was classified as unknown.
Some 77% of neonatal deaths were down to congenital anomalies, extreme prematurity, neurological, cardio-respiratory and infection.
In 2019, the Government committed to halving the rate of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, maternal deaths and brain injuries occurring during birth by 2025.
The report also highlights how wide #ethnicinequalities in perinatal mortality continue. Stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates for babies of Black ethnicity increased at a higher rate than for babies of Asian and White ethnicity. pic.twitter.com/fQdGyt86jj
— MBRRACE UK (@mbrrace) September 14, 2023
But Robert Wilson, head of the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit, said the MBRRACE-UK report “makes it clear that inaction is costing babies’ lives”.
“It paints an alarming picture of baby loss throughout the UK and the situation described in this report is simply unacceptable.
“This requires a comprehensive response from all levels of government that matches the urgency and scale of the issue.”
(Article by Niamh Harris republished from ThePeoplesVoice.tv)