Changes in state-level definitions of fetal death and the reporting of fetal death and periviable live births in the United States, 1996–2021: A panel study

Annals of Epidemiology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Brenda Bustos, Allison Stolte, Alison Gemmill, Joan A. Casey, Dana Sarnak, Ralph A. Catalano, Tim A. Bruckner
DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2026.110056
Cited by: 0
References: 20

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals include reducing the risk of fetal death. Even in high-income countries such as the United States (US), fetal deaths remain under-counted, with reporting showing variable quality across place and time. In the US, a uniform national definition of fetal death does not exist. Scant work characterizes whether, and to what extent, definitional changes in fetal death in US states over time affect fetal death reporting as well as counting of live births among similarly very frail (i.e., periviable [born

Fields of Study & Subjects

Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare Global Maternal and Child Health Infant Development and Preterm Care

Publication details

Journal / source
Annals of Epidemiology
Volume
116
Pages
110056–110056
Publication date
17 February 2026
Language
EN