title: Stillbirth and congenital anomalies in migrants in Europe.
abstract: The risk of giving birth to a stillborn child or a child with severe congenital anomaly is higher for women who have immigrated to Europe as compared to the majority population in the receiving country. The literature, however, reveals great differences between migrant groups, even within migrants from low-income countries, although there is no clear pattern regarding refugee or non-refugee status. This heterogeneity argues against a particular migration-related explanation. There are social disparities in stillbirth risk worldwide, and it has been suggested that the demonstrated ethnic disparity is a result of the socioeconomic disadvantage most migrants face. Consanguinity has been considered as another cause for the increased stillbirth risk and the high risk of congenital anomaly observed in many migrant groups. Utilization and quality of care during pregnancy and childbirth is the third major aspect. All three factors seem to contribute to stillbirth risk, and they should be considered in clinical practice and public health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: amny@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nybo Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gundlund
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sarah Fredsted
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Villadsen
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003241:Consanguinity; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000208:ethnology*
keywords: congenital abnormalities; consanguinity; migrants; prenatal care; socioeconomic factors; stillbirth