Are we ready for medical examiner reforms for neonatal death certification?

Neonatal death is a tragic event that has a profound impact on the family. Issuance of a death certificate is an essential step in the bereavement and legal process, to enable closure for the loved ones. As medical practitioners, it is paramount to provide accurate and sensitive death certificates. It is very important that the most accurate picture possible for the complex train of events leading to a neonatal death is drawn from the summary that the death certificate provides.¹

Shanvir Mann
Paediatric Specialty Doctor, Sheffield Children’s Hospital

Gee-Na Beeston
Medical student, University of Sheffield Medical School

Simon Clark
Consultant Neonatologist, Sheffield Teaching Hospital

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Keywords

death certificates; bereavement; legal; neonatal death; medical examiners; medical certificate of cause of death

Key points

Issuance of a death certificate is an essential step in the bereavement and legal process.
Reforms commenced on 9 September, 2024.
When a baby dies less than 29 days old, they are issued with an infant death certificate.

Also published in Infant:

VOLUME 17/ISSUE 4, JULY 2021

When should a neonatal death be referred to the coroner? Initiation of a guideline to aid decision making

Despite improved survival, particularly for extremely preterm infants, sadly some neonates die. When this happens, it may be appropriate to refer the death to the coroner, however, there is huge variation in practice between settings regarding the coroner referral process. After a particular case concerning several hospitals, we reviewed available evidence and produced a guideline to aid this process, involving both neonatologists and our coroner’s office, and including parental concerns. This has enabled a systematic, transparent approach that is equal for all infants.