Stillbirth: giving parents an explanation for this tragic loss of life

Published on 22 November 2011

Around 4,000 babies are stillborn each year in the UK and many others die soon after birth.¹ Losing a baby in such tragic circumstances is deeply upsetting – the grief can be overwhelming. Frequently, it is not possible to work out exactly why the baby died, leaving great uncertainty for couples embarking on a subsequent pregnancy. Dr Lucy Raymond, from the University of Cambridge, is looking for genetic causes of stillbirth, to give more parents an explanation for their sad loss.

What is the problem and who does it affect?

Sadly, around one in every 200 babies is stillborn* in the UK and one in every 300 babies born alive dies within just four weeks of birth.¹

“The death of a baby late in pregnancy or soon after birth is profoundly shocking, acutely painful and grievous,” explains Dr Lucy Raymond. “Parents often feel numb and bewildered – we do not expect bereavement to be the outcome of pregnancy. Many want to know why their baby has died, to help them come to terms with their loss and to find out whether it might happen again if they try for another baby.”

All too often though, the cause of death cannot be identified adequately. “Current investigations include performing a post-mortem examination, checking for infection, assessing the placenta and some screening for genetic problems,” explains Dr Raymond. “The genetic testing offered after stillbirth is limited though when compared with that available in many other situations.”

Unfortunately, one in four stillbirths remains unexplained, leaving parents with many unanswered questions.² We urgently need better ways to find out why these babies are losing their lives.

*If a baby is born dead after 24 weeks of pregnancy, he or she is said to be stillborn.

What is the project trying to achieve?

Dr Raymond suspects that some babies who are stillborn, or who die soon after birth, have genetic abnormalities that have not been identified yet. She is investigating this by studying the genetic codes of six families who have lost several babies in this way and another 200 babies who were stillborn or who died within four weeks of birth.

“We aim to find out whether better genetic testing after the death of a baby might improve our ability to explain why the baby died,” explains Dr Raymond. “This knowledge could be invaluable. It could help bereaved parents to make sense of their tragic loss, reach closure and readjust to life after their baby’s death. It could also be beneficial if couples want to know whether they are at risk of losing another baby in the future. Anxiety levels surrounding subsequent pregnancies can be especially high if a baby’s death remains unexplained.”

What are the researchers’ credentials?

Dr Raymond’s research group has successfully identified 12 genes that cause severe intellectual disability in children, along with a further four genes that are likely to cause such disability. They are international leaders in this area of research and are perfectly placed to focus their skills on this new investigation. 

References

1. Confidential enquiry into maternal and child health (CEMACH). Perinatal mortality 2007. Published June 2009. http://cemach.interface-test.com/getattachment/1d2c0ebc-d2aa-4131-98ed-5... (website accessed October 2011).
2. Sands. Media Centre. Key fact no 6 http://www.uk-sands.org/Media-Centre/Keyfacts.html (website accessed November 2011)