Wojcieszek, Aleena M.Reinebrant, Hanna E.Leisher, Susannah HopkinsAllanson, EmmaCoory, MichaelErwich, Jan JaapFrøen, J. FrederikGardosi, JasonGordijn, SanneGulmezoglu, MetinHeazell, Alexander E. P.Korteweg, Fleurisca J.McClure, ElizabethPattinson, Robert CliveSilver, Robert M.Smith, GordonTeoh, ZheyiTunçalp, ÖzgeFlenady, Vicki2016-09-092016-09-092016-08Wojcieszek, AM, Reinebrant, HE, Leisher, SH, Allanson, E, Coory, M, Erwich, JJ, Frøen, JF, Gardosi, J, Gordijn, S, Gulmezoglu, M, Heazell, AEP, Korteweg, FJ, McClure, E, Pattinson, R, Silver, RM, Smith, G, Teoh, Z, Tunçalp, Ö & Flenady, V 2016, 'Characteristics of a global classification system for perinatal deaths : a Delphi consensus study', BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 16, no. 1, art. #223, pp. 1-11.1471-239310.1186/s12884-016-0993-xhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/56689BACKGROUND : Despite the global burden of perinatal deaths, there is currently no single, globally-acceptable classification system for perinatal deaths. Instead, multiple, disparate systems are in use world-wide. This inconsistency hinders accurate estimates of causes of death and impedes effective prevention strategies. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is developing a globally-acceptable classification approach for perinatal deaths. To inform this work, we sought to establish a consensus on the important characteristics of such a system. METHODS : A group of international experts in the classification of perinatal deaths were identified and invited to join an expert panel to develop a list of important characteristics of a quality global classification system for perinatal death. A Delphi consensus methodology was used to reach agreement. Three rounds of consultation were undertaken using a purpose built on-line survey. Round one sought suggested characteristics for subsequent scoring and selection in rounds two and three. RESULTS : The panel of experts agreed on a total of 17 important characteristics for a globally-acceptable perinatal death classification system. Of these, 10 relate to the structural design of the system and 7 relate to the functional aspects and use of the system. CONCLUSION : This study serves as formative work towards the development of a globally-acceptable approach for the classification of the causes of perinatal deaths. The list of functional and structural characteristics identified should be taken into consideration when designing and developing such a system.en© 2016 The Author(s). Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).StillbirthPerinatal deathNeonatal deathClassificationSystemsCauses of deathArticle