Numerator
Number of fetal deaths (20 or more weeks of gestation)
Denominator
Number of live births plus fetal deaths (20 or more weeks gestation)
Methodology
A description of the primary measurement used to determine the infant’s gestational age—the interval between the first day of the last normal menstrual period (LMP) and the birth—has been published by NCHS.1
This objective uses the same measurement protocol as the comparable Healthy People 2000 objective 14.2 and Healthy People 2010 objective 16.1a, A description of the fetal death measurement has been published by NCHS.2
States are required to report fetal deaths if they occur in the 20th week of pregnancy or later, or if they weigh at least 350 grams.3 The number of fetal deaths may be underreported in part because of variations in reporting requirements by States.
1. Martin, J.A.; Hamilton, B.E.; Sutton, P.D.; et al. Births: Final data for 2003. National Vital Statistics Reports Vol. 54, No. 2. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2005.
2. Heck, K.E., and Klein, R.J. Operational definitions for year 2000 objectives: Priority area 14, Maternal and Infant Health. Healthy People 2000 Statistical Note. No. 14. Hyattsville, MD: NCHS, 1998.
3. National Center for Health Statistics. Technical Appendix. Vital Statistics of the United States, 1999. Vol. II, Mortality, Part A. Available from: www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/statab/techap99.pdf