Report into baby deaths inconclusive
are still unanswered questions relating to a rise in baby deaths in Scotland between 2021 and 2022, health watchdogs have claimed, after they called for improvements in review systems into neonatal deaths.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) investigated the issue after two rises were recorded in september 2021 and march 2022. A total of 29 infants died.
According to HIS, the investigation “has identified various factors that appear to have contributed to the increase, rather than one single identifiable cause”.
The report recommends greater collaboration across Nhs boards and national organisations, along with earlier and more comprehensive reviews of neonatal deaths to ensure timely identification of potential issues.
The review’s authors, led by retired consultant neonatologist Dr Helen Mactier, said they found variations in the quality and detail of local case reviews, as well as incomplete data around staffing levels during the pandemic.
The number of additional neonatal deaths in Scotland in 2021/22 compared to the previous four years is estimated at 30, the report states. More babies than expected were born before 28 weeks’ gestation in Scotland in 2021/22.
Since babies born before 28 weeks’ gestation have a hight here er neonatal mortality rate, they contributed to the overall increase in neonatal deaths, the report found. This included a higher than expected number of multiple births such as twins and triplets.
There was a significant increase in the neonatal mortality rate for babies born at 32 to 36 weeks’ gestation in Scotland in 2021/22.
However, HIS said there were “no new or unusual causes of death identified”, and the registered causes of neonatal deaths in Scotland in 2021/22 were broadly similar to those in previous years.
Without comparative data from preceding years, the review’s authors said they could not determine if more than expected neonatal deaths in 2021/22 were“potentially prevent able ”.
From the information available in the local review reports, the review did not find evidence of systemic failures of maternity or neonatal care, either across Scotland as a whole, or in any one NHS board, that would account for the significant increase in neonatal deaths in 2021/22.
It also did not identify unusual factors or a cluster of any one factor to explain the increase in neonatal deaths in this period.
The authors of the report stated: “Whilst it is possible that the direct and indirect effects of the Covid-19 pandemic may have contributed to the increase in Scotland 2021/22, it is not possible to draw conclusions about this from the information available to this review.”
The review found variations in the quality and detail of local case reviews, as well as incomplete data around staffing levels during the pandemic.
Public health and women’s health minister Jenni Minto said: “The findings made will now be considered carefully and we will work with Healthcareimprovement scotland and other NHS partners on the next steps. We encourage those who need additional support to get in touch with Sands’ or one of the other baby loss charities who provide bereavement support.”
It is possible that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic may have contributed to the increase