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Understanding stillbirth: New analyses from around the world

Session Information

20260326T1030 20260326T1130 Africa/Nairobi Understanding stillbirth: New analyses from around the world Amethyst Tent International Maternal Newborn Health Conference 2026 information@imnhc.org

Presentations

Stillbirth and neonatal mortality risks associated with size for gestational age: analysis of birth outcome data from 20 countries (2000-2023)

Research Abstract 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Africa/Nairobi) 2026/03/26 07:30:00 UTC - 2026/03/26 08:30:00 UTC
Despite sustained efforts in perinatal survival, 2.3 million neonatal deaths and 1.9 million late gestation stillbirths occurred in 2023. Both have been associated with pathways resulting in fetal growth restriction and/or preterm birth. Advances in ending preventable deaths have been slow due to multiple factors, including the lack of epidemiological data to identify high-risk groups and guide targeted interventions. To address this, we analysed individual-level data (2000 to 2023) from national and subnational sources across 20 countries to calculate i) prevalence of size-for-gestational age, ii)gestational age-specific perinatal mortality using the fetuses-at-risk approach and iii) population attributable risk. We found that the median prevalence of SGA was higher among stillbirths than neonatal deaths and livebirths. Perinatal mortality was highest for those < 3rd centile. At the population level, SGA was responsible for a fifth of deaths, so targeted interventions are urgent for this vulnerable group
Availability and use of actionable health information
Small and sick newborns, Stillbirths
Presenters Lorena Suarez Idueta
PhD Student , LSHTM
Co-Authors Joy E Lawn
Professor, NEST360 Lead For Data And Evaluation , London School Of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Eric Ohuma
Professor Of Medical Statistics And Epidemiology, London School Of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Hannah Blencowe
Associate Professor Maternal Child Health, London School Of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine

Incidence and risk factors for stillbirth in Kenya, Mozambique and The Gambia: the PRECISE cohort study

Research Abstract 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Africa/Nairobi) 2026/03/26 07:30:00 UTC - 2026/03/26 08:30:00 UTC
Stillbirths remain a critical yet understudied public health challenge especially in the low resource settings of sub-Saharan Africa. The PRECISE cohort study (2019-2022) prospectively followed 5,772 pregnant women across seven health facilities in Kenya, Mozambique, and The Gambia to assess stillbirth incidence and associated risk factors. Overall stillbirth incidence was 29.2 per 1,000 births, with significant country variation: Kenya (17.5), Mozambique (32.8), and The Gambia (49.8). Most stillbirths (89.1%) occurred at ≥28 weeks gestation. Multivariable analysis identified key modifiable risk factors including previous stillbirth history, hypertension, antepartum hemorrhage, and delivery outside health facilities. This presentation will examine the multifactorial determinants of stillbirth and discuss evidence-based strategies for integrated antenatal and intrapartum care to address both clinical risk factors and systemic barriers preventing facility-based delivery across diverse African settings.
Quality MNH care for all, including prevention of stillbirths
Stillbirths
Presenters Akuze Joseph Akuze
Reserach Fellow, London School Of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Co-Authors Grace Mwashigadi
Global Health Specialist , International Stillbirth Alliance
Angela Koech
Research Physician Scientist, Aga Khan University, Kenya
HJ
Hawanatu Jah
Obs & Gyn, MRC The Gambia
AR
Anna Roca
Professor, MRC, The Gambia
UD
Umberto D'Alessandro
Unit Director, MRC, The Gambia
ES
Esperança Sevene
Professor, MANHICA
BA
Bethany Atkins
Researcher, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
MV
Marie-Laure Volvert
Research Manager, Kings College London
MM
Moses Mukhanya
Data Manager, Aga Khan University
RC
Rachel Craik
Research Manager, Kings College London
MT
Marleen Temmerman
Director And Professor, Aga Khan University
Pv
Peter Von Dadelszen
Professor, Kings College London
Hannah Blencowe
Associate Professor Maternal Child Health, London School Of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine

Prevalence and factors associated with low birth weight among stillbirths and early infant deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, 2016-2023: Analysis from the CHAMPS Network.

Research Abstract 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Africa/Nairobi) 2026/03/26 07:30:00 UTC - 2026/03/26 08:30:00 UTC
This study provides a large-scale, multi-country analysis of LBW prevalence and factors associated with it among stillbirths and early infant deaths across the CHAMPS network from 2016 to 2023. CHAMPS generates detailed and robust data on the causes of death among stillbirths and under-5 year deaths. Sites conduct active surveillance for deaths among catchment populations and seek to enroll deaths and conduct minimally invasive tissue sampling within 24 hours of the death. DeCoDe expert panels review data from medical records, verbal autopsies, and laboratory results and assign immediate, intermediate, and underlying causes of death. In addition to the high prevalence of LBW (61%) among stillbirths and early infant deaths, we identify key modifiable risk factors such as being born in the community, fetal growth restriction, maternal hypertensive disorders, and maternal HIV infection. Our findings also highlight regional disparities, with higher LBW in South Africa, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia.
Follow-up care into infancy and childhood for small and vulnerable newborns
Small and sick newborns, Stillbirths
Presenters Tadesse Gure Eticha
MD Associate Professor , Haramaya University
Co-Authors
KL
Kyu Han. Lee
PhD, Emory Global Health Institute, Emory University, United States Of America
B
Dianna M Blau
DVM, PhD, Global Health Center, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, Atlanta, US
PM
Portia C. Mutevedzi
Senior Director - Impact And Engagement, The Task Force For Global Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
VA
Victor Akelo
Principal Research Officer, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
SA
Shams El Arifeen
Senior Scientist (Emeritus), International Centre For Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
EG
Emily Gurley
Site Director, CHAMPS Bangladesh, International Center For Diarrhoeal Diseases Research (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh And Department Of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
SM
Shabir Madhi
Site Director, CHAMPS South Africa, MRC Vaccines And Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit (VIDA), Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto, South Africa
ZD
Ziyaad Dangor
Co-Director CHAMPS South Africa, MRC Vaccines And Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit (VIDA), Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto, South Africa
HM
Hellen Muttai
Site Director, CHAMPS Kenya, Liverpool School Of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), UK
DO
Dickens Onyango
Site Director, CHAMPS Kenya, Kisumu County Department Of Health, Kisumu And Minstry Of Health, Kisumu County, Kenya
SS
Samba Sow
Site Director, CHAMPS Mali, Centre Pour Le Développement Des Vaccins (CVD-Mali), Ministère De La Santé, Mali
KK
Karen Kotloff
Site Director, CHAMPS Mali, Department Of Pediatrics And Department Of Medicine, Center For Vaccine Development And Global Health, University Of Maryland School Of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
QB
Quique Bassat
Director General Of ISGlobal, ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; CISM, Mozambique; ICREA, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Clínic De Barcelona, Spain; Facultat De Medicina I Ciències De La Salut, Universitat De Barcelona, Spain; Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan De Déu, Barcelona, Spain
CW
Cynthia G Whitney
Executive Director And Principal Investigator Of CHAMPS, The Task Force For Global Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
LM
Lola Madrid
Associate Professor Of Epidemiology, London School Of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine
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Session Participants

User Online
Session speakers, moderators & attendees
PhD student
,
LSHTM
Reserach Fellow
,
London School Of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
MD Associate Professor
,
Haramaya University
Dr. Susannah Leisher
Co-director
,
University of Utah Stillbirth Center of Excellence
Mrs. Nonkululeko Shibula
Board member
,
International Stillbirth Alliance
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