Fetal and perinatal mortality, United States, 2006

This report presents 2006 fetal and perinatal mortality data by maternal age, marital status, race, Hispanic origin, and state of residence, as well as by fetal birthweight, gestational age, plurality, and sex. Trends in fetal and perinatal mortality are also examined.

Descriptive tabulations of data are presented and interpreted.

There were 25,972 reported fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more in the United States in 2006. The U.S. fetal mortality rate was 6.05 fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more per 1,000 live births, 3% lower than in 2005 (6.22). From 2005 to 2006, fetal mortality declined 3% for fetal deaths at 20-27 weeks of gestation, while the rate at 28 weeks or more did not decline significantly. This contrasts with the long-term trend of declines in fetal mortality at 28 weeks or more and stability at 20-27 weeks of gestation. Fetal mortality rates declined significantly for non-Hispanic black women from 2005 to 2006; however, rates for other racial and ethnic groups were essentially unchanged. In 2006, the fetal mortality rate for non-Hispanic black women (10.73) was more than twice the rate for non-Hispanic white (4.81) and Asian or Pacific Islander (4.89) women. The rate for American Indian or Alaska Native women (6.04) was 26% higher, and the rate for Hispanic women (5.29) was 10% higher, than the rate for non-Hispanic white women. Fetal mortality rates were higher than average for teenagers, women aged 35 and over, unmarried women, and women with multiple pregnancies.