§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many perinatal deaths there were in each of the last 10 years; what the most common causes of perinatal deaths are; what figures he has collated on the rate of perinatal deaths in the UK compared to European countries and the USA; and what he is doing to reduce the number of perinatal deaths. [99081]
§ Jacqui SmithThe number and rate of perinatal deaths (stillbirths plus deaths at ages up to six completed days of life) in each of the last 10 years for England and Wales and also causes of perinatal deaths in 2001, are shown in the tables. Eurostat, the Statistical Office Of European Communities collates statistics across Europe (Eurostat: Key data on health 2000 (1999) pg 170). However, due to differences in the definition of stillbirths, perinatal mortality figures are not completely comparable between the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe, nor with the USA.
As part of the work on the maternity module of the children's national service framework, the Post Birth and Baby Sub Group is developing national standards to ensure the safety and well being of the baby and will cover issues such as resuscitation, need for assessment, and the immediate needs of the new born. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence will also draw up clinical guidelines.
In addition we are increasing the number of doctors and midwives to provide better support for women in established labour and thereby improve outcomes for both mother and child, and we have invested an additional £100 million in refurbishment and equipment for maternity suites.
531W
Perinatal deaths England and Wales 1992–2001 Number Rate per 1,000 total births 1992⋆ 5238 7.6 1993 6044 9.0 1994 5958 8.9 1995 5701 8.7 1996 5605 8.6 1997 5380 8.3 1998 5261 8.2 1999 5138 8.2 2000 4956 8.2 2001⋆⋆ 4740 8.0 ⋆For data from 1993, the definition of a stillbirth changed from 28 weeks to 24 weeks gestation.
⋆⋆ Provisional
Perinatal deaths by ONS cause groups England and Wales 2001 (provisional) ONS cause group⋆ Number Rate All causes 4740 8.0 Congenital anomalies 826 1.4 Antepartum infections 53 0.1 Immaturity related conditions 976 1.6 Asphyxia, anoxia or trauma 260 0.4 External conditions 12 0.0 Infections 10 0.0 Other specific conditions 191 0.3 Antepartum stillbirths 2333 3.9 Sudden infant death 1 0.0 Other conditions 78 0.1 Total births 597,694 ⋆2001 data based on ONS cause groups developed in ICD10. Source:
Office for National Statistics (ONS)