Tuesday, September 16, 2025
More than 60% of the nearly 24,000 stillbirth cases annually remain unexplained.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched effort aimed at reducing the rate of preventable stillbirths in the United States. Investigators will develop tools, devices and other technologies that have the potential to affect diagnosis and prevention efforts relevant to stillbirth, which occurs in 1 in 160 deliveries in the U.S. About 23,600 stillbirths at 20 weeks or greater gestation are reported annually.
More than 60% of stillbirth cases remain unexplained even after exclusion of common causes, such as congenital abnormalities, genetic factors, and obstetric complications. NIH will fund the Stillbirth Research Consortium for more than $37 million over five years, pending the availability of funds, with $750,000 in co-funding from the Department of Health and Human Services.
“This consortium will provide an integrated, collaborative program to support cutting edge research to identify the root causes of stillbirth and inform evidence-based strategies to address stillbirth risks,” said Alison Cernich, Ph.D., acting director of NIH’sEunice Kennedy ShriverNational Institute of Child Health and Human Development. “Too many families needlessly face the grief of stillbirth.”
People who have experienced stillbirth are almost five times as likely to experience another stillbirth or other pregnancy associated complication. The rate of stillbirth is considerably higher among Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native people. About 40% of stillbirths that occur during labor and birth are considered potentially preventable.
The Stillbirth Consortium will consist of four research centers and a data coordinating center.
Funding for the projects will be provided by grants UM2HD119552 (coordinating center); UG1HD119608; UG1HD119613; UG1HD119614; UG1HD119576.
For more information about stillbirth, visitthis Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Child Health and Human Development website(link is external).
About theEunice Kennedy ShriverNational Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): NICHD leads research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. For more information, visithttps://www.nichd.nih.gov(link is external).
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