TY - JOUR
T1 - Stillbirths
T2 - What difference can we make and at what cost?
AU - Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.
AU - Yakoob, Mohammad Yawar
AU - Lawn, Joy E.
AU - Rizvi, Arjumand
AU - Friberg, Ingrid K.
AU - Weissman, Eva
AU - Buchmann, Eckhart
AU - Goldenberg, Robert L.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Worldwide, 2·65 million (uncertainty range 2·08 million to 3·79 million) stillbirths occur yearly, of which 98 occur in countries of low and middle income. Despite the fact that more than 45 of the global burden of stillbirths occur intrapartum, the perception is that little is known about effective interventions, especially those that can be implemented in low-resource settings. We undertook a systematic review of randomised trials and observational studies of interventions which could reduce the burden of stillbirths, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. We identified several interventions with sufficient evidence to recommend implementation in health systems, including periconceptional folic acid supplementation or fortification, prevention of malaria, and improved detection and management of syphilis during pregnancy in endemic areas. Basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care were identified as key effective interventions to reduce intrapartum stillbirths. Broad-scale implementation of intervention packages across 68 countries listed as priorities in the Countdown to 2015 report could avert up to 45 of stillbirths according to a model generated from the Lives Saved Tool. The overall costs for these interventions are within the general estimates of cost-effective interventions for maternal care, especially in view of the effects on outcomes across maternal, fetal, and neonatal health.
AB - Worldwide, 2·65 million (uncertainty range 2·08 million to 3·79 million) stillbirths occur yearly, of which 98 occur in countries of low and middle income. Despite the fact that more than 45 of the global burden of stillbirths occur intrapartum, the perception is that little is known about effective interventions, especially those that can be implemented in low-resource settings. We undertook a systematic review of randomised trials and observational studies of interventions which could reduce the burden of stillbirths, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. We identified several interventions with sufficient evidence to recommend implementation in health systems, including periconceptional folic acid supplementation or fortification, prevention of malaria, and improved detection and management of syphilis during pregnancy in endemic areas. Basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care were identified as key effective interventions to reduce intrapartum stillbirths. Broad-scale implementation of intervention packages across 68 countries listed as priorities in the Countdown to 2015 report could avert up to 45 of stillbirths according to a model generated from the Lives Saved Tool. The overall costs for these interventions are within the general estimates of cost-effective interventions for maternal care, especially in view of the effects on outcomes across maternal, fetal, and neonatal health.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62269-6
DO - 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62269-6
M3 - Review article
C2 - 21496906
AN - SCOPUS:79955643116
SN - 0140-6736
VL - 377
SP - 1523
EP - 1538
JO - The Lancet
JF - The Lancet
IS - 9776
ER -