title: Vital statistics as a data source.
abstract: A focus group convened at a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Stillbirth Conference discussed issues related to vital statistics as a data source on fetal mortality. Fetal death is a tragic occurence and part of the continuum of pregnancy outcomes. A primary source of data is the National Vital Statistics System fetal death component, which is routinely used to track mortality trends and to provide the context for nonrepresentative investigations. The data are also used to examine differentials in mortality by characteristics and to evaluate data quality. Issues concerning how to improve the vital statistics data include culture and context; data instrument; persons providing information; what information is available to the information provider; processing issues; and use of data. Perhaps most important is to enhance recognition of fetal death both for the individual confronting a loss and to promote research. Other studies are needed to augment the information obtainable through vital records.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vital Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA.
authors.forename: Donna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hoyert
authors.forename: Joyce A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D003469:Culture; D003625:Data Collection; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014798:Vital Statistics