SPIMMR 2008 Annual Report (PDF, 1.76 MB)
About the report
The key national numbers and rates of events are summarised below with brief comments where appropriate. The confidence intervals are not included but can be found in the body of the report. Data for individual NHS boards can also be found in the report.
Summary of findings
The key national numbers and rates of events are summarised here with brief comments where appropriate. Confidence intervals are not included but can be found in the body of the report. Data for individual NHS boards can also be found in the report.
- Total births and deaths in 2008:
- Total births: 60,366 (increase of 2,258 from 2007)
- 685 deaths notified to Survey - 107 late fetal deaths - 325 stillbirths - 168 neonatal deaths - 85 post-neonatal deaths
- Stillbirths:
- Stillbirth rate 5.4/1000 total births.
- FIGO 'preventable' stillbirth rate 3.6/1000.
- Neonatal deaths:
- Total neonatal death rate 2.8/1000 live births, the lowest ever recorded.
- Early neonatal mortality rate 2.0/1000 live births.
- Perinatal mortality rate 7.4/1000 total births, the lowest ever recorded.
- FIGO 'preventable' neonatal mortality rate 0.9/1000 live births.
- Other mortality rates:
- Post-neonatal mortality rate 1.4/1000 live births.
- Infant mortality rate 4.2/1000 live births, the lowest ever recorded.
- Singleton births:
- Stillbirth rate 5.1/1000 total singleton births: - 67% 'unexplained' obstetric cause - 13% antepartum haemorrhage - 11% congenital anomaly
- Neonatal death rate 2.4/1000 singleton live births: - 52% 'unexplained' obstetric cause - 30% congenital anomaly
- multiple births:
- Twinning rate 16.0/1000 births, the highest rate since records began in 1855.
- Stillbirth rate 13.9/1000 total multiple births.
- Neonatal death rate 16.2/1000 multiple live births.
- Classification:
- The limitations of the current classification system are described.
- A pilot assessment of histological placental dysfunction and of intrauterine growth restriction showed rates of 47% and 27% respectively among stillbirths assigned to the 'unexplained' category.
- Low birthweight and preterm birth:
- Account for just under 6% of all births but for over 60% of perinatal deaths.
- The fall in neonatal mortality in 2008 occurred among all gestations and birthweights.
- Postmortem examinations:
- Postmortem rate for all deaths 54%.
- Rates for individual hospitals from 24% to 68%.
- Post-neonatal mortality:
- 79% of deaths occurred before six months of age.
- Rate for sudden unexpected death in infancy 0.2/1000 live births, the lowest ever recorded.
- Congenital anomalies:
- Most anomalies are of the heart and circulatory system.
- Antenatal screening and detection and pregnancy termination reduces the rate at birth of neural tube defects by 53% and of Down syndrome by 39%.
The work behind this report
The Scottish Stillbirth and Infant Death Survey has been conducted jointly by the Reproductive Health Programme of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and ISD.
Annual reports on perinatal mortality in Scotland, including a classification according to the obstetric event leading to death, have been produced since 1977. The report has been expanded to include late fetal deaths (losses from 20 weeks gestation), late neonatal and post-neonatal infant deaths.
Since 1987, a paediatric classification which summarises the clinico-pathological events in the fetus or baby has been included to complement the obstetric classification. In recent years, a commitment has been made to address morbidity as well as mortality within the annual report but as yet this only includes information on congenital anomalies.
Further information
Go to our Reproductive Health Programme
Contact us
Leslie Marr
Reproductive Health Programme Coordinator
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland
Elliot House, 8-10 Hillside Crescent
Edinburgh EH7 5EA
Tel: 0131 623 4710
