Vital Events Reference Tables 2003

Section 4: Stillbirths and Infant deaths

Stillbirths Section 56(1) of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 defined a stillbirth as a child which had issued forth from its mother after the 28th week of pregnancy and which did not breathe or show any other sign of life. The Still-Birth (Definition) Act 1992, which came into effect on 1 October 1992, amended Section 56(1) of the 1965 Act (and other relevant UK legislation), replacing the reference to the 28th week with a reference to the 24th week. The tables in Section 4 show figures for all gestations of 24 weeks or longer but to assist in the interpretation of trends, most time series tables in this report show figures based on both the old and the new definitions.

Perinatal deaths refer to stillbirths and deaths in the first week of life.

Neonatal deaths refer to deaths in the first four weeks of life.

Postneonatal deaths refer to deaths after the first four weeks but before the end of the first year.

Infant deaths refer to all deaths in the first year of life.

Rates Stillbirth and perinatal death rates are based on the total of live and still births; neonatal, postneonatal and infant death rates are based on live births only.

Perinatal summary list (Tables 4.4 to 4.7) This additional summary list highlights causes associated with the perinatal period.

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Tables