The latest publication in The Lancet journal “Global, regional, and national stillbirths at 20 weeks’ gestation or longer in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021”provides valuable insights into global stillbirth trends. This study, co-authored by a GlohMed investigator Dr. Suraj Bhattarai, found a 39.8% global reduction in stillbirths, from 5.08 million in 1990 to 3.04 million in 2021, though this decline was slower compared to neonatal mortality, which saw a 45.6% reduction in the same period. The highest burden of stillbirths remains in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, which accounted for 77.4% of global stillbirths in 2021, up from 60.3% in 1990. Additionally, nearly one-third of stillbirths occur before 28 weeks of gestation, emphasizing the need for better tracking at earlier stages of pregnancy. The study highlights persistent inequities in maternal health, particularly in countries with lower development status, and underscores the need for targeted interventions to reduce stillbirth rates, especially in high-burden regions. Full article can be read here: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01925-1
