Fetal death

Intrauterine death of a fetus before delivery from the mother, regardless of the duration of pregnancy. Fetal deaths do not include induced terminations of pregnancy (abortions). This definition of fetal death, adopted by NCHS as the nationally recommended standard, is based on the definition published by the World Health Organization in 1950 and revised in 1988. The term fetal death encompasses other commonly used terms, including stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, and miscarriage. All U.S. states and registration areas have definitions similar to the standard definition, except for Puerto Rico and Wisconsin, which have no formal definition. Although the majority of fetal deaths occur early in pregnancy, most states in the United States require the reporting of fetal deaths only at 20 weeks of gestation or more. In Health, United States, data are presented for fetal deaths at 20 weeks or more, late fetal deaths at 28 weeks or more, and perinatal deaths. Perinatal deaths refer to a combination of fetal deaths (at least 28 weeks of gestation) and early infant (neonatal) deaths (younger than 7 days). Perinatal death is not a reportable vital event, but the measure is used for statistical purposes because of the implications for both public health and clinical interventions. (Also see Sources and Definitions, National Vital Statistics System, Fetal Death Data Set; Gestation; Infant death; Rate: Death and related rates.)