Stillbirths: the way forward in high-income countries

National, regional, and worldwide estimates of stillbirth rates in 2009 with trends since 1995: a systematic analysis

“…Comparison of the estimated trends with reported trends by country suggests that the current model's accuracy of predicting trends is close to that of the actual reported trends. 27,28 Furthermore, the variation in the estimated declines by region needs recognition. For example, the reduction Numbers are rounded; rates were calculated with raw, unrounded data.…”

Stillbirths: why they matter

“…Only the number of third-trimester stillbirths, with birthweights of 1000 g or more, or after 28 weeks of gestation, has been estimated in most countries (see panel for defi nitions). In high-income countries, stillbirths after 22 and before 28 completed weeks of gestation might represent more than a third of these losses, 13 but are hardly ever counted in low-income countries. 7,14 The Lancet's Series entitled Who counts?…”

“…20 When compared with the leading global causes of death in all age categories, all-cause stillbirths would rank fi fth among the global health burdens-before diarrhoea, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, traffi c accidents, and any form of cancer. 21 This fi rst paper of The Lancet's Stillbirths Series 7,8,13,22,23 will explore the present status of stillbirth in the world: • In an era of global eff orts in maternal health, most mothers' own aspiration-a live baby-has been absent from the global health agenda. Organisations currently advancing maternal and neonatal health should include plans for stillbirth reduction.…”

Stillbirths: what difference can we make and at what cost?

“…The estimated 41-45% reduction in stillbirths at 90-99% coverage by the suggested interventions is probably an underestimate because most high-income and some middle-income countries have been able to reduce intrapartum stillbirths and related neonatal deaths to a greater extent. 109,110 The challenge now is to translate this evidence into policy and make these interventions accessible to individuals in greatest need 111 in an integrated manner 112 and at a faster pace than secular trends. Implementation and integration will be the focus of the fourth paper in this Series.…”