MBRRACE-UK data confirms stark inequalities in baby loss across the UK
The latest report from MBRRACE-UK report shows rate of stillbirths and neonatal deaths decreased in 2023 but persistent inequalities remain.
The MBRRACE-UK collaboration, jointly led by Oxford Population Health’s National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit and the University of Leicester’s TIMMS research group, has today published a ‘State of the Nation’ report on perinatal deaths of babies born in the UK in 2023.
Sands is part of the MBRRACE-UK collaboration – we ensure that the voices of bereaved parents are at the centre of their work, and put forward ideas for which baby deaths we think need further investigation.
The State of the Nation report is a concise overview of perinatal deaths in the UK focusing on five key areas: perinatal mortality rates in the UK; mortality rates for trusts and health boards; mortality rates by gestational age (weeks of pregnancy completed before birth); mortality rates by ethnicity and socio-economic deprivation; and a description of the causes of perinatal deaths in the UK.
This report focuses on births from 24 completed weeks of pregnancy, but includes babies born at 22 and 23 completed weeks of pregnancy where rates are presented by gestational age. The figures presented in this report do not include terminations of pregnancy.
“Today’s report from MBRRACE-UK shows the gap continues to grow between neonatal death rates in the most deprived areas and those in the least deprived areas of the UK. Put starkly, newborn babies are dying because of poverty and deprivation.
The stillbirth rate among babies of Asian ethnicity has risen sharply, and Black babies are still twice as likely as White babies to be stillborn.
The Government must take urgent and targeted action to reduce health inequalities at local and national level, to save babies’ lives.
The overall decrease reported by MBRRACE-UK in both stillbirths and neonatal deaths is welcome – but no family should be left behind because of where they live or the colour of their skin.”
- Robert Wilson, Head of the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit
Sands is here to support everyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, however recently or longer ago. The charity is also working with researchers, healthcare professionals, policy-makers and MPs to put bereaved parents voices at the heart of efforts to improve maternity safety and save babies’ lives.
"Today's MBRRACE-UK report highlights the challenges that remain in tackling inequalities in baby loss, particularly for babies of South Asian and Black ethnicity.
The government needs to make a clear commitment to eliminating unacceptable inequalities in baby loss over the course of the NHS 10-year plan, with action across government to make sure more progress is made.
We know today's news may be worrying for anyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss. We are here for all those who need support today and at any time, for as long as they need this.
Sands will keep amplifying the voices of bereaved parents so they are heard at the highest levels of government, and improving maternity safety and bereavement care through research, training and campaigning.”
- Clea Harmer, Sands’ Chief Executive.
The next MBRRACE-UK Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care confidential enquiry report into maternal deaths in the UK will be published later in 2025. The details of the cases presented in the confidential enquiry reports are strictly confidential but the reports will include brief anonymised summaries of the care received by some parents and their babies as illustrative examples.
The Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit team are now updating the JPU data hub, so the graphs will encompass this latest 2023 data from MBRRACE-UK. View the JPU Data Hub