Fetal Deaths in Brazil: Historical Series Descriptive Analysis 1996-2012.

Objective We seek to comprehensively assess stillbirths in Brazil, to compare the Brazilian findings with global trends and to identify the limitations of the fetal death record system. Method We studied fetal deaths in Brazil between 1996 and 2012 within the following five regions of the country: the North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Central-West, through an analysis of data obtained from the Unified Health System's (SUS) Informatics Department. The rates of stillbirth in Brazil and in these regions were calculated in relation to the maternal and gestational age and education, birth weight, type of pregnancy, delivery type, weight ranges and cause of death.