Lowest number of stillbirths in a decade in 2018

The stillbirth rate in 2018 was 3.54 per 1,000 births; and the early neonatal death rate was 1.77 per 1,000 live births. A further 30 late neonatal deaths were reported in 2018. Picture: iStock

The number of stillbirths or early neonatal deaths in Ireland during 2018 was the lowest in almost a decade, although 2019 saw a slight increase.

That is according to the latest perinatal mortality audit with data from all 19 maternity units.