India reports highest stillbirths: Lancet

According to The Lancet,in India 22 children were born dead among 1000 live births in 2009. This means,6,06,523 children were born dead in India in 2009.

The number was,however,on the higher side in 1995. The report,to be released on Thursday,says that in 1995,25 children were born dead among 1000 live births in India meaning 7,28,760 stillbirths.

The rate of stillbirths varies in India from 20 to 66 per 1000 total births in different states,finds the report appearing in The Lancet Stillbirth Series.

The five main causes of stillbirth are childbirth complications,maternal infections in pregnancy,maternal disorders especially hypertension and diabetes,fetal growth restriction and congenital abnormalities.

According to The Lancet,more than 7,300 babies are born dead every day around 1.2 million stillbirths occur during labour and birth and most of these are term babies that could be saved with access to quality care at birth.

Nigeria and Pakistan have the highest stillbirth rates 42 and 46 per 1000 births,respectively and Finland and Singapore the lowest two per 1000 births, it said.