Stillbirth: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Disparities

Stillbirth, defined as the death of a fetus prior to birth greater than 20 weeks' gestation, occurred in 5.53 per 1000 births in the United States in 2023. Although direct comparisons are challenging, the United States has higher rates of stillbirth, and lower rates of stillbirth reduction than most countries with similar resources. There are many risk factors and causes of stillbirth, some of which are modifiable as targets for prevention. There is considerable variation in stillbirth rates among various US populations, with especially high rates in non-Hispanic Black, Native American, and Pacific Islander and Hawaiians.