trends in perinatal mortality

Last reviewed 01/2018

There has been a general trend to lower perinatal mortality in England and Wales since records began in 1928. Possible reasons for this include:

  • improved general health
  • improved sanitation
  • smaller families
  • development of antibiotics
  • improved neonatal care

In consideration of data concerning the 4 year period in the 2000-2003 data (1):

  • still birth rate
    • 5.35 per 1000 live births and still births in 2000
    • 5.77 per 1000 live births and deaths in 2003
  • neonatal death rate
    • 3.89 per 1000 live births in 2000
    • 3.66 per 1000 live births in 2003
  • perinatal mortality rate
    • 8.30 per 1000 live births and still births 2000
    • 8.60 per 1000 live births and still births 2003

Reference:

  1. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (April 2005). Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (England and Wales)