UK Perinatal Mortality Surveillance 2023 (MBRRACE-UK)
The Maternal, Newborn and Infant Clinical Outcome Review Programme has published an MBRRACE-UK Perinatal Mortality Surveillance report on UK perinatal deaths of babies born in 2023.
Compared to 2022, stillbirth rates fell across all UK nations, while neonatal mortality rates also declined in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
This report finds that extended perinatal mortality rates across the UK continued to decline in 2023, reaching 4.84 per 1,000 total births, primarily driven by a reduction in stillbirths. However, when comparing Trust & Health Board neonatal mortality rates, it found that there was wide variation.
Other key findings include:
- Neonatal mortality rates increased for the most preterm babies
- Neonatal mortality rates for babies from the most deprived areas increased for the third year
- The most common causes of stillbirth and neonatal death were unchanged.
The leading causes of stillbirth were placental issues, congenital anomalies, umbilical cord complications, and fetal conditions, but 34% of stillbirths had an unknown cause. Neonatal deaths were most commonly attributed to congenital anomalies, neurological issues, extreme prematurity, cardio-respiratory complications, and infections. Congenital anomalies remained a significant contributor, accounting for 8% of stillbirths and 35% of neonatal deaths.
Overall, this report highlights continued progress in reducing perinatal mortality but underscores the need for targeted interventions to address disparities by socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and gestational age.
Read the full report: You can view the report by clicking the button below.
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More information: For further information, go to the programme page on this website.
