The Midlands and North of England Stillbirth Study - A Case-Control Study of Modifiable Factors in Late Stillbirth

The death of an unborn child is a prevalent and tragic public health problem which currently affects millions of families worldwide. Late stillbirth (at or beyond 28 weeks of gestation) is one of the few potentially avoidable maternal and child health problems where the rate of decline in high income countries has slowed in recent decades [1]. The United Kingdom currently has one of the highest rates of stillbirth in Europe, ranking 33rd out of 35 high income countries.

The variations in stillbirth rates between high income countries suggest that it should be possible to make further reductions in late stillbirths. The estimated annual reduction in rates of late stillbirth over recent decades is about 1.1% [1], compared to 2.1% for neonatal death rates, with a resultant increase in the proportion of perinatal deaths (stillbirths plus neonatal deaths) attributable to stillbirth [2]. The Lancet Stillbirth Series [1, 3, 4] has highlighted the silent but prevalent public health problem of stillbirth and together with Sands and the Royal College Of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has called for research to address these unacceptably high rates.

Current established risk factors for late stillbirth in high income countries include: advanced maternal age (>35 years) [5], high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) [6], smoking [7], reduced antenatal care attendance [8], low socioeconomic status [8] and small for gestational age (SGA) infants [9]. A meta-analysis of population based studies addressing risk factors for stillbirth found that the three most important modifiable risk factors were overweight and obesity (population attributable risk 818%) advanced maternal age (population attributable risk 68%), and smoking (population attributable risk 47%) [3]. Of these only, cigarette smoking may be realistically addressed after pregnancy has started. There has been limited research investigating the role of novel, modifiable factors which have the potential to advance knowledge and address the important gaps in the field of stillbirth research.

This study aims to explore modifiable risk factors for late stillbirth in the UK and to substantiate the recent identification of a new modifiable risk factor for unexpected late pregnancy stillbirths. In the Auckland Stillbirth Study [10] our New Zealand collaborators discovered an approximately two-fold increase in late stillbirth with non-left sided maternal sleep position on the night before the baby died. In addition, women who did not get up at night and those who slept during the day were also at increased risk of stillbirth. The strength of this primary finding was unanticipated and now maternal sleep position requires urgent, rigorous evaluation in another population. MiNESS aims to address these factors.

This multi-centered case control study will recruit 291 women who have experienced a late (≥28 weeks gestation) matched with 580 women who have a continuing pregnancy at the same gestation (controls). The women will be interviewed by an experienced research midwife and an in depth questionnaire will be completed.