PLOS global public health
Causes of stillbirth in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia: Findings from Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance, 2016-2023
By Rahman A, Lee KH, Arifeen SE and 22 others.
Abstract
Background
Globally, an estimated 1.9 million stillbirths occur annually, yet significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the causes of stillbirths, particularly in high-burden regions. We investigated fetal and maternal conditions causing stillbirths in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and described missed opportunities for prevention.
Methods
Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) identified stillbirths at sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. We asked families for consent to conduct minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) from December 2016 to December 2023. An expert panel reviewed test results, clinical information, and verbal autopsy data and assigned fetal and maternal conditions leading to stillbirths and identified missed opportunities for prevention.