Tackling high rates of pre-term birth is the key to reducing stillbirths and neonatal deaths in the UK, according to a report published today.
The latest report from investigators at MBRRACE-UK highlights "wide" regional variations in death rates.
The report says this cannot be explained by factors such as poverty and ethnicity – suggesting there may be differences in care.
The researchers say there was slight fall in baby and infant death rates in 2014 – but this was not uniform across the UK.
Researchers found that about two-thirds of deaths involved pre-term deliveries.
Researcher Professor David Field, from Leicester University, said: “The very significant impact of this group on overall rates of stillbirth and neonatal death is stark.
"Funding for work into the reduction of preterm birth is vital in the battle to reduce these numbers.”
The researchers also raise concerns about low numbers of post-mortem examinations. They found that only 40% of parents agreed to this – although it was offered in 90% of cases.
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