Stillbirths (Hansard, 22 June 1994)

§ Dr. Lynne Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she has taken to reduce the number of stillbirths as a result of obstetric cholestasis.

§ Mr. Sackville
Following discussions with Department of Health officials, the newsletter of the President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and also that of the Royal College of Midwives have carried items on obstetric cholestasis. The revised edition of the Health Education Authority's "Pregnancy Book" will also carry a reference to obstetric cholestasis.

§ Dr. Lynne Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stillbirths there were in each of the five most recent years for which figures are available.

§ Mr. Sackville
The number of stillbirths registered in England and Wales by year of occurrence for the period 1988–92 are shown in the table.

Year Number

1988 3,382

1989 3,236

1990 3,256

1991 3,254

1992 ¹3,160

¹On 1 October 1992 the legal definition of a stillbirth was altered from baby born dead after 28 completed weeks gestation or more to one born dead after 24 completed weeks gestation or more. Between 1 October and 31 December 1992 there were 216 stillbirths of 24–27 weeks gestation. these are included in the 1992 total.

Year	Number
1988	3,382
1989	3,236
1990	3,256
1991	3,254
1992	¹3,160
¹On 1 October 1992 the legal definition of a stillbirth was altered from baby born dead after 28 completed weeks gestation or more to one born dead after 24 completed weeks gestation or more. Between 1 October and 31 December 1992 there were 216 stillbirths of 24–27 weeks gestation. these are included in the 1992 total.