Perinatal Mortality in the United States, 2022 and 2023

Abstract

Objectives: This report describes changes from 2022 to 2023 in the perinatal mortality rate, overall, by its components, and by mother's age, race and Hispanic-origin, and state.

Methods: This report is based on data from the Fetal Death Data File and the Linked Birth/Infant Death Data File from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS). This report uses an expanded measure of perinatal mortality, which includes all fetal deaths at 20 completed weeks or more and infant deaths younger than age 7 days. The differences between rates noted in the text are statistically significant at the 0.05 level unless otherwise noted.

Key findings: The U.S. perinatal mortality rate was 8.36 perinatal deaths per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths in 2023, a nonsignificant change from the rate of 8.27 in 2022. The early fetal mortality rate increased by 4%, from 2.79 in 2022 to 2.89 in 2023; changes in late fetal and early neonatal mortality were not significant. Increases in the perinatal mortality rate were seen for women younger than age 20, Hispanic females, and in three states (Alabama, Colorado, and New Jersey); a decline was seen in one state (Michigan). Changes for other groups were not significant.