Six deliveries per thousand are stillbirths in India, highest rate in northern states
In News:
- A Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia study reveals that over 6 stillbirths per 1,000 deliveries occurred in India in 2020, with the highest rates in northern and central states.
- Hotspots: Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan.
- Risk Factors:
- Maternal anaemia and underweight status.
- Low wealth status.
- Higher deliveries in public health facilities (possible quality gaps).
- Protective Factors:
- Hygienic menstrual practices.
- Caesarean (C-section) deliveries — especially in Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
- ≥4 antenatal check-ups and iron–folic acid supplementation (evidence from Assam, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh).
- NFHS-5 Data: C-section prevalence in South India ~45% (2019–20).
- Urban vs Rural: Stillbirth rates higher among urban mothers.
- Sex-specific Findings: Slightly higher rates among male foetuses (biological vulnerability), but no significant district-level disparities.
Updated – August 13, 2025 | 07:15 PM IST – The Hindu
Public Health Maternal Health Stillbirths Lancet Study NFHS-5 India Health Women’s Health Maternal Anaemia Antenatal Care Public Health Facilities Healthcare Quality Urban Health Rural Health South India C-Section Iron Folic Acid Menstrual Hygiene Health Inequality Maternal Nutrition Infant Mortality UPSC BPSC MPPSC JPSC UKPSC SSC CGL UPPSC RPSC TNPSC WBCS RRB NTPC