Fetal death is the death of an unborn child at any stage of development, from embryo to fully-developed fetus. In compiling statistical information on fetal death, the National Center for Health Statistics in the United States uses this all-encompassing definition. The only incidents of fetal demise that are not considered fetal death are induced terminations of pregnancy. Death of the fetus is determined by the absence of breathing, heartbeat, and umbilical pulse after being expelled from the expectant mother.

Problems with Fetal Death Statistics
A problem arises in compiling fetal death statistics because of the legal definitions of fetal death and reporting requirements set by each state. These definitions and reporting requirements vary by each state. In some states, fetal death is not reported until after 20 weeks of gestation, or in the case of California, 20 weeks of en utero gestation. Some states also do not report fetal death if the fetus weighs less than 350 grams. In order to reconcile these differences, only fetal deaths occurring after 20 weeks of gestation are counted for statistical purposes.

Frequency
According to data from the National Vital Statistics Report in 2005, 6.2 fetal deaths occur in every 1,000 births. No significant difference exists in the frequency reported for the previous year. The total number of incidents of fetal death in one year is estimated at 1 million. When only fetal deaths after 20 weeks of gestation are counted, the number in one year drops to 26,000. The rate of fetal death has declined by about 1.4 percent each year from 1990 to 2003.

Maternal Factors
The National Center for Health Statistics has determined that in 2005, 49 percent of fetal deaths occurred in single women. By comparison, single women accounted for only 37 percent of successful births. Maternal age also played a large factor in fetal death. The age group with the highest risk of fetal death is women age 45 and up. The second-highest risk was for those under the age of 15. The age group with the lowest risk is women from 25 to 29. Maternal race was also a factor. By race, the group most at risk for fetal death is non-Hispanic black women with a frequency of 11.13 fetal deaths per 1,000 births. Asian women were least at risk.

Fetal Factors
In 2005, fetal death occurred more for male fetuses than for female. The male fetal death rate was 6.43 per 1,000 births, which is 7 percent higher than the female fetal death rate.

Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, has not reviewed or edited this article,  and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.