This systematic review shows that a large proportion of stillbirths in high-income countries are attributable to risk factors that are fully or partly avoidable.

  • Brief

    To identify priority areas for stillbirth prevention in high-income countries. 

  • Background

    In high-income countries, one in every 200 pregnant women reaching 22 weeks’ gestation will have a stillborn baby. Prevention strategies that target risk factors could be important in rate reduction. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done to identify priority areas for stillbirth prevention relevant to those countries. 

    “Stillbirth rates in high-income countries have shown little or no improvement over the past two decades.”
  • Key takeaways

    This systematic review shows that a large proportion of stillbirths in high-income countries are attributable to risk factors that are fully or partly avoidable. The raising of awareness and implementation of effective interventions for modifiable risk factors, such as overweight, obesity, maternal age, and smoking, are priorities for stillbirth prevention in these countries.  

  • Key contributors

    Vicki Flenady
    Laura Koopmans
    Philippa Middleton
    J Frederik Frøen
    Gordon C Smith
    Kristen Gibbons
    Michael Coory,
    Adrienne Gordon
    David Ellwood
    Harold David McIntyre
    Ruth Fretts
    Majid Ezzati 

  • Full report

    Access the report findings here: Major risk factors for stillbirth in high-income countries