Why Is This Important?

The perinatal death rate is a critical measure of a population's health. Fetal and neonatal mortality, the components of perinatal mortality, are important indicators of fetal, infant, and maternal health status and medical care (pre- and post-delivery).

Definition

Rate of fetal deaths at 28 or more weeks of gestation plus infant deaths less than 7 days of age in a given year, per 1,000 live births plus fetal deaths of 28 or more weeks gestation in the same year. [NCHS Definition I] Fetal death, which is also referred to as stillbirth, is defined as death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction of the fetus from its mother, where the fetus shows no signs of life. Additionally, only spontaneous fetal deaths, not induced or intentional terminations of pregnancy, are included in this definition. This indicator uses NCHS Definition I of perinatal mortality. Please note the age for neonatal deaths and the gestational age for fetal deaths when making comparisons to other data sources as Definition II is more inclusive and therefore produces higher rates than Definition I.

Data Sources

• Fetal Death Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health; Linked Infant Death-Birth Database, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health
  (https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/; https://www.nj.gov/health/chs/)
• National Vital Statistics Reports, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/nvsr.htm)
• Birth Certificate Database and Fetal Death Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, NJDOH
  (https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

There are more than 400 perinatal deaths each year in New Jersey. The perinatal mortality rate is slowly declining, yet disparities exist across the state and by maternal and infant characteristics. For example, the rate among children of Black mothers is well above that of other racial/ethnic groups.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Since 2000, the perinatal mortality rate among New Jersey residents has been consistently below that of the nation as a whole.

What Is Being Done?

The Division of [https://nj.gov/health/fhs/ Family Health Services] in the New Jersey Department of Health administers programs to enhance the health, safety and well-being of families in New Jersey. Several programs are aimed at improving children's health, including reducing perinatal mortality. Information on programs that promote availability and use of [http://njparentlink.nj.gov/njparentlink/health/before/ prenatal care services] and programs that promote [http://njparentlink.nj.gov/njparentlink/health/safety/ newborn health] are available online. The Department of Health has provided state funding to improve perinatal public health services and birth outcomes in communities. Perinatal deaths are reviewed by the [https://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/maternalchild/mchepi/mortality-reviews/ Fetal Infant Mortality Review Team] and recommendations to reduce future deaths are made to public and private sources of care including hospitals, clinics, and health care professionals throughout the state. Efforts are continuing to increase public and provider awareness of needs for greater access to maternal preconception care, more awareness of risky preconception and post-conception behavior and for better general maternal health care.

Available Services

The Division of Family Health Services provides support for pregnant women and newborns through several programs, including the [http://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/wic/index.shtml Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children] (WIC), public education and identification of perinatal mood disorders, and professional and public Perinatal Addiction education services, screening, and a network of available resources to aid pregnant, substance-using women. [http://njparentlink.nj.gov/ NJ Parent Link], an interdepartmental website, is New Jersey's online Early Childhood, Parenting, and Professional Resource Center offering "one-stop shopping" for State services and resources. [https://www.njstillbirth.org/ Stillbirth: Can Happen to Any Pregnancy] is a fully dedicated stillbirth resource for New Jersey parents and healthcare providers centered on stillbirth awareness, education, and prevention.

Footnote References

1. Gregory ECW, Valenzuela CP, Hoyert DL. [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr72/nvsr72-08.pdf Fetal mortality: United States, 2021]. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 72 no 8. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2023. Valenzuela CP, Gregory ECW, Martin JA. [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db429.pdf Decline in perinatal mortality in the United States, 2017-2019]. NCHS Data Brief, no 429. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022 Gregory ECW, Drake P, Martin JA. [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db316.pdf Lack of change in perinatal mortality in the United States, 2014-2016]. NCHS Data Brief, no 316. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2018. MacDorman MF, Gregory ECW. [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_08.pdf Fetal and perinatal mortality: United States, 2013]. National vital statistics reports; vol 64 no 8. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015.