Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Around 2.6 million stillbirths occur each year, inflicting a devastating toll on couples that can often be averted with good medical care, The Lancet said on Thursday.
Ninety-eight per cent of the 7,000 stillbirths that occur each day happen in developing countries, it said in a series of papers.
The true tally may be even greater because this estimate is based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition, according to which a baby is stillborn, as opposed to miscarried, after 28 weeks of gestation.
But most rich countries count stillbirths at around 22 weeks' gestation.
If this definition were used, "the total number of global stillbirths would be about 45 percent higher," The Lancet said.
Finland, with 2.0 stillbirths per 1,000 births, has the lowest rate in the world, whereas Nigeria and Pakistan, with more than 40 per 1,000, are the highest.
Roughly half of stillbirths globally occur as a result of complications during birth, a risk that has been virtually eliminated in high-income countries.
The Lancet series suggested countries rally behind a target for reducing stillbirths by 2020, including efforts in maternal and neo-natal health and incorporating stillbirths in vital statistics.
ri/har
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments