Rising neonatal mortality rates cause concern

The recent publication from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports on child and infant mortality in England and Wales in 2021. It includes key findings on stillbirths, infant and childhood deaths occurring annually in England and Wales, and associated risk factors. The main findings include:

• In 2021, 2,323 infant deaths (aged under one year) occurred in England and Wales; this figure is higher than in 2020 (2,226)

• The neonatal mortality rate (aged under 28 days) was 2.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in England and Wales in 2021; with the mortality rate increasing for neonates of shorter gestational ages

• In 2021, infants with a low birthweight (less than 2,500g), black ethnicity, or a mother aged under 20 years were at the highest risk of infant mortality

• The main causes of death among infants and children aged 28 days to 15 years continued to be congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities

• Infant mortality risk varies by socio-economic background. In 2021, the 10% most deprived areas in England had higher infant mortality rates compared with the 10% least deprived areas.

According to Bliss, the charity for babies born premature or sick, the latest data from the ONS shows just how much further there is to go for the government to meet its national ambition to halve neonatal deaths by 2025. Caroline Lee-Davey, Chief Executive at Bliss, says: “It is extremely concerning to see neonatal mortality increase in 2021 compared to the previous year, as well as the continuing health inequalities, which show a stark difference in risk of neonatal death for babies from ethnic minority groups and from deprived backgrounds.”

Read the report at: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/childhoodinfantandperinatalmortalityinenglandandwales/2021