Publications
Socioeconomic deprivation as a risk factor for stillbirth: a case-control study
No overall association was found between deprivation and stillbirth. However, placental-related deaths were higher in more deprived areas. High maternal BMI, late booking, and older maternal age were key stillbirth risk factors. Findings support the need for broader national research.
- Authors
Sara Leitao, Keelin O'Donoghue
- Year
- 2025
- Journal Name
- Midwifery
- Category
- Journal Article
- Keywords
- Stillbirth
- Full Citation
Keane JV, Corcoran P, Leitao S, McKernan J, Manning E, O’Donoghue K, Greene RA. Socioeconomic deprivation as a risk factor for stillbirth: a case-control study. Midwifery. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2025.104615.
- Link to Publication
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2025.104615
Abstract
Stillbirth is a devastating outcome for families. Identifying and addressing risk factors is of crucial importance. Level of deprivation has been linked to adverse perinatal outcomes, including stillbirth. We conducted an observational case-control study, matching cases of stillbirth (n=127) with a control cohort of live births (n=266). Retrospective data on maternal characteristics, pregnancy details and neonatal outcomes from 2018-2021 was collected from a tertiary maternity unit in Ireland. The Pobal HP Deprivation Index was used to categorise small areas into levels of deprivation. Maternal age, parity, BMI, booking visit gestation were considered potential confounding factors. The results demonstrated no statistically significant correlation between level of deprivation and risk of having a stillbirth in this sample. When readjusted into quintiles of deprivation, a slightly higher representation of stillbirth was noted in the more deprived levels, though not statistically significant. When examining by cause of death, there was a significant association between deprivation and placental causes of death. High BMI was consistently associated with stillbirth, while late booking visit gestation and advanced maternal age also showed associations. This study found no clear link between deprivation and stillbirth but observed higher placental-related stillbirth in deprived quintiles, emphasising the need for further national research.