Stillbirths rise but rate lowest in the UK

RATES of stillbirth and newborn death rose slightly in Scotland over a year and were higher than the UK average in some areas.

The Royal College of Midwives said some cases would have been ‘avoidable’ and warned health professionals must learn from the findings.

Scotland had the lowest rate of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in the UK but there is some variation between regions.

The MBRRACE-UK Perinatal Mortality Surveillance Report revealed the overall rate of stillbirths and deaths in babies up to one month old in Scotland rose from 4.72 per 1,000 births to 5.36 between 2015-2016.

‘Every stillbirth is a tragedy’

This was lower than the death rate across the UK as a whole, which rose from 5.61 per 1,000 births in 2015 to 5.64 last year.

Overall, the death rate has fallen in recent years from 6.01 across the UK and 5.43 in Scotland in 2013.

Five Scottish areas had death rates higher than the UK average in 2016. They were NHS Tayside, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Fife, NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Borders.

The report states: ‘It’s important that we remember that each number in this report represents the tragic death of a much-wanted baby, two bereaved parents, other grieving family members and a future life full of promise never realised.’

Mandy Forrester, the Royal College of Midwives’ head of quality and standards, said: ‘We are pleased to see a downward trend in the number of stillbirths and neonatal mortality rates. However, there is much to take away from the findings of this report.

‘The variation in stillbirth rates remains a concern. This could be because of the socio-economic wellbeing of communities. It may also be in the quality of local services and this needs investigation.

‘It is imperative that we learn from each of these tragic deaths.

‘Some of these deaths will have been avoidable and for all losses, we must never lose sight of the devastating impact a tragedy like this will have on parents and families.

‘We also need to be ensuring women receive continuity of carer.’

Professor Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: ‘It’s clear that much more has to be done. There is no single solution but what we do know is that babies born to families living in areas of high deprivation or to mothers who have poor maternal health, are most at risk.’

A spokesman for NHS Tayside said: ‘NHS Tayside closely monitors and reports on rates of stillbirth, neonatal and infant mortality.

‘In Tayside in 2016 there were 15 stillbirths recorded and 14 neonatal deaths. Of these babies, many had congenital anomalies.

‘Every stillbirth and neonatal death is reviewed and investigated as part of the NHS Tayside clinical governance process.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Every case of stillbirth and neonatal death is a tragedy for all concerned, and it’s vital that we learn lessons from each one.

‘We remain committed to doing all we can to reduce rates still further.’