Stillbirths and infant deaths drop to record low in Scotland

THE number of babies dying during birth or in their first year has fallen to a record low in Scotland, new figures have revealed.

The infant mortality rate of 3.7 per 1,000 in 2010 is significantly less than the 4.3 in England and Wales.

And the Scottish stillbirth rate of 4.9 per 1,000 has dropped below the UK rate for the first time in years.

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Both the Scottish Government and the charity Sands, which have campaigned for action on stillbirths, believe this is the result of increased awareness among the public and clinicians.

Janet Scott, research manager for Sands, said: “It’s great news that there has been a fall in stillbirths and that Scotland is lower than the UK for the first time. No-one can say for sure what’s brought the rate down, but we can speculate, and number one is raising awareness.

“Women are now more likely to voice concerns about their baby if they have them, and are more likely to turn up at hospital if they are worried.

“There’s been a perception that stillbirth is one of those things that there’s nothing you can do about. That’s changed, and clinicians take it more seriously while women are more aware of the risk factors such as obesity or smoking.”

Sands petitioned Scottish ministers over their concerns about the previous high death rates, which resulted in the Stillbirth Group being launched in 2009.

The group, which is convened by the Scottish Government and counts Sands staff among its members, looks at improvements in detection of those at risk of stillbirth, management following a stillbirth, bereavement care and support, research and information for parents.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the improvement but warned there is no room for complacency.

“The death of even one baby is a tragedy,” she said.

“The Scottish Perinatal and Infant Mortality and Morbidity Report shows that the rates of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, perinatal deaths [stillbirths and deaths during the first week of life] and infant deaths were the lowest ever recorded in Scotland. The rate of post-natal deaths equalled the lowest ever recorded.

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“However, we want to drive the number of deaths down even further. The report has a number of important recommendations that we expect NHS boards, with assistance from Healthcare Improvement Scotland, to take cognisance of – and take appropriate action.”

The figures, from ISD Scotland, also revealed a drop in the number of babies being born in 2010, reversing a steady rise since 2002.

There were 59,082 births in Scotland, 281 fewer than in 2009. The fall is believed to be at least partly down to fears over the economy and job security.

However, experts warn that some women who are putting off having children because of the state of the economy may find it harder to conceive if they wait too long.

Professor Robert Wright, an expert in economics and demographics at Strathclyde University, said: “There’s a problem, because women have a biological constraint and you can’t wait forever.”