§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of perinatal mortality in each of the last 10 years; and what plans he has to commission research into reasons for variations.
§ Mr. StewartPerinatal mortality figures for the years 1983–1992 are as follows:
Number Rate per 1,000 births (live and still) 1983 696 10.6 1984 718 11.0 1985 656 9.8 1986 673 10.2 1987 594 8.9 1988 594 8.9 1989 553 8.7 1990 574 8.7 1991 582 8.6 1992 597 9.0 The introduction of the Stillbirth (Definition) Act 1992 on 1 October 1992 reduced from 28 to 24 weeks the gestational age at which a baby is officially recognised as stillborn. Early terminations of pregnancy between 24 and 260W 28 weeks, which were formerly treated as "miscarriages" for statistical purposes, are now being classed as stillbirths and have been included in the statistics for 1992.
Compiled on the same basis as the figures for 1983 to 1991 the number of stillbirths in 1992 would have been 562, representing a rate of 8.5 per 1,000 births and demonstrating a continuing downward trend.
Research into the causes of perinatal deaths has been continuous since 1977 when the Scottish perinatal mortality survey was set up. In 1982 the Scottish perinatal mortality review advisory group was established to look into the causes of perinatal deaths on an ongoing basis and to offer advice on ways in which the incidence might be reduced further. Its work will be enhanced shortly with the appointment of a professional co-ordinator.