Fetal Mortality in the United States
Graph of the Week
Reproduction and care for the young and unborn are fundamental to survival of the human race. This week’s graphs, courtesy of a recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics, illustrate fetal mortality in the United States.
Key Points
• Fetal mortality rates have been steadily decreasing over the past 30 years and are currently at all-time lows (Figure 1). In 2022, there were 20,202 fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more, and male fetuses have a 4% higher mortality rate than female fetuses (not graphed).
• Current fetal mortality rates are highest among mothers who are Black, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Native Alaskan (Figure 2).
• Current fetal mortality rates are highest among women who give birth between the ages of 15-19 or over the age of 40 (Figure 3).
• Current fetal mortality rates are twice as high among women who smoke during pregnancy than women who do not smoke during pregnancy (not graphed).
Source: Gregory ECW, Valenzuela CP, Hoyert DL. Fetal mortality: United States, 2022. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 73 no 9. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024.
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