antenatal screening programme

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Stillbirth

A stillbirth is a baby born dead after the 24th week of pregnancy. This UK NSC recommendation concentrates only on stillbirths caused by placenta related problems. These are responsible for around 40% of stillbirths.

Read more about stillbirth on the NHS website.

UK NSC screening recommendation Based on the last UK NSC review of this condition that occurred in August 2019.

Screening is not currently recommended for this condition.

The UK NSC does not recommend screening mothers for still birth because there is:

  • no accurate test available for predicting stillbirth
  • a lack of knowledge about how to best look after at-risk mothers
  • not enough evidence to show that treatments are able to reduce the risk of stillbirth if there is a problem with the placenta
  • not enough information on how to plan a birth to prevent stillbirth, without risk to the baby

Supporting documents from the 2019 review

Evidence summary stillbirth (2019)
This document provides the evidence on which the current UK NSC recommendation is based.

UK NSC coversheet and consultation responses stillbirth (2019)
This document summarises the review process including the public consultation comments.

Review cycle

Date previous review completed: 2019

Next review estimated to be completed: 2022 to 2023.

To see previous evidence reviews, visit the UK NSC archive.

Organisations interested in Stillbirth

These organisations have expressed interest in this recommendation and may submit responses to evidence reviews.

List of organisations

If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.