Characteristics of a global classification system for perinatal deaths: a Delphi consensus study

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Health
• Public Health Surveillance
• Medical Classification Systems

Background:

• Global perinatal mortality remains a significant public health challenge.
• Current disparate classification systems hinder accurate cause-of-death estimation and prevention efforts.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) is developing a unified global approach to perinatal death classification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish expert consensus on the critical characteristics of a globally acceptable perinatal death classification system.
• To inform the development of a standardized WHO classification approach for perinatal deaths.
• To identify key structural and functional attributes for an effective global system.

Main Methods:

• An international expert panel was convened to identify essential characteristics.
• A Delphi consensus methodology, involving three rounds of online surveys, was employed.
• Experts iteratively scored and selected characteristics for the classification system.

Main Results:

• A consensus was achieved on 17 important characteristics for a global perinatal death classification system.
• Ten characteristics pertain to the system's structural design.
• Seven characteristics focus on the system's functional aspects and practical application.

Conclusions:

• This study provides foundational work for a globally acceptable perinatal death classification system.
• The identified structural and functional characteristics are crucial for designing and implementing the new system.
• Standardizing classification will enhance global efforts in understanding and preventing perinatal mortality.