The Daily, Tuesday, May 7, 2002. Stillbirths

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Stillbirths

The number of stillbirths with a gestational age of 28 weeks or more, known as late fetal deaths, rose slightly in 1999, halting six straight years of declines.

Canada registered 1,087 stillbirths at 28 weeks or more, up from the record low of 1,079 in 1998.

In 1999, there were 3.2 late fetal deaths for every 1,000 total births (live births plus stillbirths of 28 weeks or longer gestation). Late fetal death rates have remained below 4 deaths for every 1,000 total births since 1990. In 1998, the rate dropped to 3.1.

The perinatal death rate - late fetal deaths plus deaths of live-born infants under one week of age - was 6.2 perinatal deaths for every 1,000 total births in 1999, unchanged from 1998.

Because of differences in reporting requirements, stillbirth data are released for two gestation periods: 28 or more weeks; and 20 or more weeks, including a few stillbirths with either an unknown gestation period, or a gestation period of fewer than 20 weeks, but weighing 500 or more grams.

In 1999, there were 2,063 stillbirths of 20 weeks or longer gestation, up from 1,987 in 1998. The rate rose slightly from 5.8 for every 1,000 total births in 1998 to 6.1 in 1999.

Stillbirths of 20 weeks or longer gestation are more common in multiple birth pregnancies, such as twins, triplets or higher order multiples. In 1999, there were 20.0 stillbirths for every 1,000 babies who were twins, triplets or higher order multiples. In comparison, there were 5.7 stillbirths for every 1,000 babies who were singletons.

About 19% of stillbirths of 20 weeks or longer gestation occurred in a full-term pregnancy, that is 38 or more weeks of gestation. Another 34% occurred in the period from 28 to 37 weeks. About 46% occurred in the period from 20 to 27 weeks.

Older mothers incurred the highest rate of stillbirths of 20 weeks or longer gestation. In 1999, there were 8.3 stillbirths for every 1,000 total births to mothers aged 35 and older. Teenage mothers experienced the second highest rate of stillbirths, 7.3 for every 1,000 total births to mothers under the age of 20.

Mothers aged 20 to 34 had the largest share of stillbirths (72%). But because they had the largest number of total births, they experienced the lowest stillbirth rate, 5.5 for every 1,000 total births.

The shelf tables Births, 1999 (84F0210XPB, $20) are now available. To order this product or custom tabulations, call Client Services (613-951-1746), Health Statistics Division.

For more information or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Patricia Tully (613-951-1759; patricia.tully@statcan.gc.ca) or Leslie Geran (613-951-5243; leslie.geran@statcan.gc.ca), Health Statistics Division.