title: Fetal Deaths in Brazil: Historical Series Descriptive Analysis 1996-2012.
abstract: Objective We seek to comprehensively assess stillbirths in Brazil, to compare the Brazilian findings with global trends and to identify the limitations of the fetal death record system. Method We studied fetal deaths in Brazil between 1996 and 2012 within the following five regions of the country: the North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Central-West, through an analysis of data obtained from the Unified Health System's (SUS) Informatics Department. The rates of stillbirth in Brazil and in these regions were calculated in relation to the maternal and gestational age and education, birth weight, type of pregnancy, delivery type, weight ranges and cause of death. Results There were 579,661 recorded fetal deaths and a decrease of 22.9 % in the stillbirth rate. In 2012, the overall rate was 10.0/1000 births; the North and Northeast regions had the highest rates (10.3 and 12.1, respectively) and the South region had the lowest rate (7.7/1000 births). Two-thirds of the deaths occurred in pregnancies of 28 or more weeks. Low education was an important risk factor, with rates of 24.3/1000 birth in women with no formal education and 4.7/1000 birth in women with 12 or more years of study in 2012. More than 40 % of the causes of deaths were nonspecific. Conclusions Despite the gradual decline in stillbirth rates, Brazil still has stillbirth rates that are nearly two times higher than those found in developed countries. There are inequalities between country regions portrayed by the significant variation in mortality rates specified by cause.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, s/nº, Trindade, Mailbox: 5199, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil. msaletemv@gmail.com.|, Da Concórdia St., Balneário, Florianópolis, SC, 88075544, Brazil. msaletemv@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Salete Medeiros
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1985-8512
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Filipe Medeiros
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Analysis, Center of Health Science, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Mailbox: 476, Florianópolis, SC, 88040900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tânia Silvia
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Fröde
authors.affiliation: Public Health Department, Center of Health Science, Federal University of Santa Catarina, University Campus, Trindade, Mailbox: 476, Florianópolis, SC, 88040900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: d'Orsi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Control methods; Epidemiological surveillance; Fetal death; Stillbirth