Finding out the cause of your baby’s death may be of great importance to you. The reason may already be known at the time of birth or death, but for many parents the cause of the baby’s death may not be known until after a post-mortem examination (see Post-mortem Examination).
However, in some cases, post-mortem and other medical investigations do not reveal the cause of the baby’s death.
Although more than half of all stillborn babies will have an unexplained cause of death, some babies are stillborn because of congenital abnormalities.
Of the babies who die in the newborn period, more than half have been of less than 2000 grams birth weight. Some babies are born too early to survive, and others may have congenital abnormalities of the heart, circulatory or gastro-intestinal systems. Chromosomal abnormalities and complications of the placenta and cord can also result in the death of the newborn infant.
Concerns or questions you may have regarding the cause of your baby’s death can be discussed with your obstetrician, neonatologist, midwife, geneticist or genetic counsellor.
This article was prepared using extracts from Stillbirth and Neonatal death1.
The full text is available online here or contact Red Nose Grief and Loss Services on 1300 308 307 for a printed version.
1 Ford, D., Richardson, R., Robertson, S-E., Stammers, R., Oxlade, E., Carter, J. & SIDS and Kids. (2016). Stillbirth and Neonatal death: A Booklet By and for Parents whose Baby is Stillborn or Dies soon after Birth. Malvern, Vic.: SIDS and Kids. (Original work published 2004 entitled Treasured Babies).
Red Nose is committed to supporting families navigating the complexities of the loss of a baby or child. To access our specialised bereavement support including: counselling, peer support programs, support groups, and resources tailored to individual needs, click here.
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