The report carried out by ISD (Information Services Division) have found a record low in stillbirths during 2010. The number of stillborns dipped under the UK rate to just 4.9 per 1000 births for the first time in a generation.

Deaths in the first year also fell to a record low at just 3.7 per 1000 live births compared to 4.3 per 1000 in England. The results also found links between obesity and stillbirths as well as death during infancy and smoking and deprivation.

The number of stillbirths in England and Wales in 2010 was slightly higher than Scotland sitting at 5.1 per 1000 live births.

Continuing to push stillborn and infant deaths down

Health secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, welcomed the news but said Scotland will continue to strive to push the figures down even further.

She said, “The death of even one baby is a tragedy. The report shows that the rates of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, perinatal deaths and infant deaths were the lowest ever recorded in Scotland.

“The rate of post-natal deaths equalled the lowest ever recorded. However, we want to drive the number of deaths down further.

“We have been aware of the increased risk of poor pregnancy outcomes in the more deprived areas and are working to reduce antenatal inequalities.”

The report also shows a buck in trend from 2002-2009 with the total number of births falling to 59,082, down by 281 from the previous year.

Source: ISD

Photography: Catherine Scott @Flickr