Trends in early gestation stillbirths and neonatal deaths in New South Wales, Australia 2002–2019

Abstract

BackgroundLittle research has focused on understanding trends in early gestation (20–27 weeks) stillbirths and neonatal deaths.AimsTo examine trends in early gestation stillbirths and neonatal deaths in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.Materials and MethodsPopulation‐based cohort study of all births ≥20 weeks gestation among female NSW residents during 2002 to 2019, induced pregnancy terminations excluded. Stillbirth rates by gestational age and birth year were calculated per 1000 fetuses‐at‐risk (FAR). Neonatal death rates by gestational age and birth year were calculated per 1000 live births. Linear regression was used to examine trends in stillbirth and neonatal death rates among all, singleton and twin births.ResultsDeclining trends in early gestation stillbirth and neonatal death rates were found. Stillbirth rates decreased from 1.9 and 0.9/1000 FAR in 2002 to 1.6 and 0.7 in 2019 for 20–23 and 24–27 week groups, respectively. Neonatal rates decreased from 940 and 315/1000 live births in 2002 to 925 and 189 in 2019 for the 20–23 and 24–27 week groups, respectively. Among singleton births, declining trends in stillbirth and neonatal death rates across all age groups were observed, except for 37–38 week stillbirths. No trends in twin stillbirth rates were found across gestational age groups, although a decreasing trend was observed for 20–23 week twin neonatal deaths.ConclusionsTrends in early gestation stillbirth and neonatal deaths have declined in recent decades in NSW but further efforts are needed to reduce both early and late gestation stillbirth rates among twin births.