Simon Cousens|Hannah Blencowe|Cynthia Stanton|Doris Chou|Saifuddin Ahmed|Laura C. Steinhardt|Andreea A. Creanga|Özge Tunçalp|Zohra Patel Balsara|Shivam Gupta|Lale Say|Joy E Lawn
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine|London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine|Johns Hopkins University|World Health Organization|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University|World Health Organization
background stillbirths count routine worldwide datacollating systems millennium development goals two sets national stillbirth estimates 2000 produced similar worldwide totals 32 million 33 million rates differed substantially countries aimed develop reliable estimates time series 1995 193 countries increasing input data using recent data applying improved modelling approaches methods international comparison stillbirth defined fetal death third trimester 1000 g birthweight 28 completed weeks gestation several sources stillbirth data identified assessed prespecified inclusion criteria vital registration data nationally representative surveys published studies identified systematic literature searches unpublished studies national data identified country consultation process 2009 reported rates used 33 countries modelbased estimates 160 countries regression model log stillbirth rate developed used predict national stillbirth rates 1995 2009 uncertainty ranges obtained bootstrap approach final model included logneonatal mortality rate cubic spline loglow birthweight rate cubic spline loggross national income purchasing power parity cubic spline region type data source definition stillbirth findings vital registration data 79 countries 69 nationally representative surveys 39 countries 113 studies 42 countries met inclusion criteria estimated number global stillbirths 264 million uncertainty range 214 million 382 million 2009 compared 303 million uncertainty range 237 million 419 million 1995 worldwide stillbirth rate declined 145 221 stillbirths per 1000 births 1995 189 stillbirths per 1000 births 2009 2009 762 stillbirths occurred south asia subsaharan africa interpretation study draws attention dearth reliable data regions stillbirths occur estimated trend stillbirth rate reduction slower maternal mortality lags behind increasing progress reducing deaths children younger 5 years improved data improved use data crucial ensure stillbirths count global national policy funding bill melinda gates foundation global alliance prevent prematurity stillbirth saving newborn livessave children international stillbirth alliance department reproductive health research un development programme un population fund world bank special programme research development research training human reproduction