Stillbirths: the vision for 2020.
- 2011
Available online from MWHC library: 1995 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1983 - 2007
Stillbirth is a common adverse pregnancy outcome, with nearly 3 million third-trimester stillbirths occurring worldwide each year. 98% occur in low-income and middle-income countries, and more than 1 million stillbirths occur in the intrapartum period, despite many being preventable. Nevertheless, stillbirth is practically unrecognised as a public health issue and few data are reported. In this final paper in the Stillbirths Series, we call for inclusion of stillbirth as a recognised outcome in all relevant international health reports and initiatives. We ask every country to develop and implement a plan to improve maternal and neonatal health that includes a reduction in stillbirths, and to count stillbirths in their vital statistics and other health outcome surveillance systems. We also ask for increased investment in stillbirth-related research, and especially research aimed at identifying and addressing barriers to the aversion of stillbirths within the maternal and neonatal health systems of low-income and middle-income countries. Finally, we ask all those interested in reducing stillbirths to join with advocates for the improvement of other pregnancy-related outcomes, for mothers and their offspring, so that a united front for improved pregnancy and neonatal care for all will become a reality.Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
English
ISSN: 0140-6736
Subjects--Topical Terms: *Stillbirth/ep [Epidemiology] Biomedical Research/td [Trends] Developing Countries Female Forecasting Health Services Accessibility/td [Trends] Health Services Needs and Demand/td [Trends] Humans Infant, Newborn Maternal Health Services/td [Trends] Population Surveillance Pregnancy Prevalence Quality of Health Care/td [Trends]
Subjects--Geographic Terms: MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Index Terms--Occupation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Index Terms--Function: Comment Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't