Perinatal mortality
Several types of death - in terms of the timing and thus their implications - are recognised in obstetrics. Perinatal death is defined as the sum of stillbirths and neonatal deaths within the first week of life (early neonatal mortality).
The definitions are shaped more often by legal aspects than actual medical practice. A prime anomaly is that of the babies which should be rigidly classified as stillbirths due to a lack of immediate signs of life. These are now surviving due to better perinatal care.
The extended perinatal mortality rates decreased across the UK in 2023 (UK extended perinatal mortality rate: 4.84 per 1,000 total births). The long-term reduction in perinatal mortality is driven largely by a reduction in stillbirths. (1)
Reference
- MBRRACE-UK perinatal mortality surveillance. UK perinatal deaths of babies born in 2023. State of the nation report. (online)
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