Fetal mortality rate 5.73 per 1,000 live births in 2021 in U.S.

2021 saw a fetal mortality rate of 5.73 fetal deaths per 1,000 live births, which was essentially unchanged from 5.74 in 2020, according to the July 26 National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Elizabeth C.W. Gregory, M.P.H., from the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland, and colleagues presented 2021 fetal mortality data by maternal race and Hispanic origin, age, tobacco use during pregnancy, and state of residence.

The researchers found that 21,105 fetal deaths were reported at 20 weeks of gestation or more in the United States in 2021, for a U.S. fetal mortality rate of 5.73 fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths. This rate was stable compared with 5.74 in 2020. The fetal mortality rate for deaths occurring at 20 to 27 weeks of gestation was 2.95 in 2021, which was essentially unchanged from 2.97 in 2020. For deaths occurring at 28 weeks of gestation or more, the rate was 2.80 in 2021, which did not differ significantly from 2.78 in 2020. In 2021, the fetal mortality rate varied from 3.94 to 9.89 for non-Hispanic, single-race Asian women and non-Hispanic, single-race Black women, respectively.

Females aged younger than 15 years and aged 40 years or older, those who smoked during pregnancy, and those with multiple gestation pregnancies had the highest fetal mortality rates. In the 41-state and District of Columbia reporting area, five selected causes accounted for 89.9 percent of fetal deaths.