Fall in rate of stillbirth drives down perinatal mortality

The rate of perinatal deaths in the UK has declined over two years, largely driven by a drop in rates of stillbirth, according to new figures.1

The report, conducted by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University, shows that in 2013 the rate of stillbirth was 4.2 per 1000 deaths. It fell to 3.87 per 1000 in 2015, representing a fall of 8%. The rate of neonatal death fell from 1.84 to 1.74 over the same period, with the rate of extended perinatal death falling from 6.04 to 5.61.

However, the report stressed that, despite the reduction, rates in the UK are higher than in other high income countries.

The data also show strong variation …