A child or youth died once every 4.4 seconds in 2021 – UN report (WHO)

WHO News HNN Team

This news release is taken from WHO. Another 1.9 million babies were tragically stillborn during the same period, according to a separate UN report. NEW YORK/GENEVA/WASHINGTON D.C., 10 January 2023 – An estimated 5 million children died before their fifth birthday and another 2.1 million children and youth aged between 5–24 years lost their lives in 2021, … Continued

One stillbirth occurs every 16 seconds, according to first ever joint UN estimates

World Health Organization HNN Team

This article was originally published by the World Health Organization Almost 2 million babies are stillborn every year – or 1 every 16 seconds – according to the first ever joint stillbirth estimates released by UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank Group and the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The vast majority of stillbirths, … Continued

Stillbirth rate rises dramatically during pandemic

Nature HNN Team

A slew of studies from around the world has reported a disturbing trend: since the coronavirus pandemic started, there has been a significant rise in the proportion of pregnancies ending in stillbirths, in which babies die in the womb. Researchers say that in some countries, pregnant women have received less care than they need because … Continued

Nepal lockdown halved health facility births and increased stillbirths and newborn deaths

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Nepal HNN Team

This article was originally published by the LSHTM COVID-19 response has resulted in major reductions in health facility births in Nepal and widened inequalities, with significantly increased institutional stillbirth and neonatal mortality, according to a new study in the Lancet Global Health. The research was led Dr Ashish KC and Nepal colleagues with Uppsala University, Sweden, and … Continued

Joy after a frightening preterm delivery in Liberia

UNFPA Liberia HNN Team

This article was originally published by UNFPA here. Out of nine pregnancies, Anna Bondo had suffered seven stillbirths, each one a crushing heartbreak. Every loss came as a result of premature labour, the 43-year-old told UNFPA. Last month, pregnant for the tenth time, Ms. Bondo once again went into an early labour. She immediately feared … Continued

WHO publishes new estimates on congenital syphilis

World Health Organization HNN Team

Global decrease but cases remain high, causing 200 000 stillbirths and newborn deaths every year 27 February 2019: New estimates published today show that there were more than half a million (around 661,000) total cases of congenital syphilis in 2016, resulting in over 200,000 stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Syphilis is one of the most common … Continued

To avoid stillbirths, women in Kenya bribe overworked doctors

Al Jazeera Kenya HNN Team

Nairobi, Kenya – After Anne Khasakalla suffered two stillbirths in 2014 and 2015, she looked for a solution that would provide her with better healthcare. Friends told her that pregnant women in Kenya have to pay bribes to doctors and nurses to escape long queues of mothers waiting to deliver their babies. “During my first … Continued

Experts call for intensified efforts to reduce maternal, newborn deaths

Outlook India India HNN Team

New Delhi, Jan 21 Experts have called for strengthening sexual and reproductive health services in member countries of WHO South-East Asia region, to reduce deaths of mothers and babies, which continues to be at “unacceptable levels”. “Though millions of lives are now being saved due to efforts in recent years, it is unacceptable that mothers … Continued

WHO lays out recommendations to save newborns

The Week HNN Team

According to a recent report released by WHO titled Survive and thrive: transforming care for every small and sick newborn, it is crucial for the world to transform care for every newborn baby, in order to achieve the global target of health for all. Reducing neonatal mortality to 12 per 1,000 live births and under-five … Continued

Huge numbers of stillborn babies ‘may have been missed’

The Guardian HNN Team

Hundreds of thousands of deaths a year are not being recognised in international estimates, research suggests Hundreds of thousands of babies who died in the womb could have been missed out of international estimates on stillbirths, research suggests. According to figures for 2015, an estimated 2.6 million babies a year worldwide are stillborn – dying … Continued