Stillbirths : the vision for 2020

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Authors

Goldenberg, Robert L.
McClure, Elizabeth M.
Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.
Belizan, Jose M.
Reddy, Uma M.
Rubens, Craig E.
Mabeya, Hillary
Flenady, Vicki
Darmstadt, Gary L.

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Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

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 off spring, so that a united front for improved pregnancy and neonatal care for all will become a reality.

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Keywords

Stillbirths

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Goldenberg, RL, McClure, EM, Bhutta, ZA, Belizan, JM, Reddy, UM, Rubens, CE, Mabeya, H, Flenady, V & Darmastadt, GL, 'Stillbirths : the vision for 2020', Lancet , vol. 377, no. 9779, pp. 1798-1805, (2011), doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62235-0