Pregnancy, births and maternity: Stillbirth, neonatal and infant deaths and maternal dealth

Stillbirth, neonatal and infant deaths

Stillbirth, neonatal and infant deaths have fallen to such a low level that it is possible there will be little further improvement.  

The stillbirth death rate in Scotland in 2021 was 3.8 per 1,000 births (live and still) and the neonatal death rate was 2.8 per 1,000 live births. 

(Source: NRS, 2021) 

Country comparison: 

The MBRRACE-UK data collection (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK), although slightly different to the NRS Vital Events data above, allows the Scotland and UK rates to be compared: 

• The stillbirth rate in Scotland (2020) was 3.7 per 1,000 total births; the UK average was 3.3. 
• The neonatal death rate in Scotland (2020) was 1.5 per 1,000 live births; the UK average was 1.5. 

• The extended perinatal death rate in Scotland (2020) was 5.2 per 1,000 total births; the UK average was 4.9. 

Maternal deaths 

• The most recent (from 2018-20) UK maternal death rate of 10.9 per 100,000 deliveries is 24% higher than in 2017-19. Removing COVID-19 deaths results in a rate 19% higher than in 2017-19. Thus, only a small part of this increase can be accounted for by COVID-19 deaths. 
• In the UK, maternal death was 3.7 times more likely for Black women than white women. 

• More women from deprived areas are dying and this continues to rise. 

Source: Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK (MBRRACE-UK) collaboration which produces the Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care report (data from 2018-20).