This section provides data on stillbirths and mortality rates of infants, children and young people which may be distressing to some individuals.
For the below figures, stillbirth is defined as stillbirth weighing 500 grams or more or at gestational age of 24 weeks or more. According to the Irish Stillbirths Registration Act, 1994 a stillbirth is defined as a child born weighing 500g or more or having a gestational age of 24 weeks or more who shows no sign of life. Infant death refers to death at ages under 1 year of live born infant. Perinatal deaths is defined as stillbirths or late foetal deaths (foetal death at or over 28 weeks gestation) plus early neonatal deaths (death at ages under 1 week live born infant). Neonatal death is defined as death at ages under 4 weeks of live born infant.
Mortality rates for stillbirth, perinatal death, infant death and neonatal death were calculated as follows:
Stillbirth rate: Stillbirths divided by total live births plus stillbirths, multiplied by 1,000.
Perinatal mortality rate: Perinatal deaths divided by total live births plus stillbirths, multiplied by 1,000.
Neonatal mortality rate: Neonatal deaths divided by total live births, multiplied by 1,000.
Infant mortality rate: Infant deaths divided by total live births, multiplied by 1,000.
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