Stillbirths could be prevented

A new study has discovered that as many as 1,000 stillbirths every year could be prevented if it had been spotted that the foetuses hadn't been growing properly.

Research, conducted over ten years by the Perinatal Institute, has found that 40 per cent of the 4,000 of the babies who are stillborn each year have had growth problems, while two thirds of these could have survived if action had been taken against this.

"Our research has shown the largest percentage of stillbirths were associated with the baby not having grown well in the womb," said the institute's director, Professor Jason Gardosi.

"It found that the majority of these stillbirths were potentially avoidable."

He added that the researchers were "excited about these findings".

"If we can recognise that babies are not growing as they should then they can be further investigated and, if necessary, delivered at the right time, and in a good condition, rather than being left in the womb and at continued risk of dying."