Epidemiology of stillbirth in Australia

To implement effective interventions to reduce stillbirth rates an in-depth understanding of risk throughout pregnancy according to maternal and pregnancy characteristics and trends over time is required. We will undertake a large epidemiological study using routinely collected national perinatal data to gain a detailed understanding of risk of stillbirth and other adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes that contribute to overall perinatal mortality.

This retrospective cohort study will include all at- or near-term births across Australia (1998-2022). Findings will provide critical insights into stillbirth risk and inform future prevention strategies, including the development of a gestational age specific risk prediction model for late-gestation stillbirth for an Australian population.

Research Team: Sailesh Kumar, Vicki Flenady, Michael Coory, David Ellwood, Adrienne Gordon, Georgina Chambers, Philippa Middleton, Anneka Bowman, Rupesh Gautam, Ibinabo Ibiebele, Christine Andrews, Miranda Davies Tuck, Mu Cheng, Carrington Shepherd, Helen Bailey, Jessica Sexton, Kylie Crawford, Jesrine Hong, Kristen Haakons, Elizabeth O’Reilly, Tegan Triggs, Shannyn Rosser, Matthew Daly, Hannah Lee, Alicja Andraszek, Kate Jarrett, Samantha Low-Choy.