Causes of perinatal deaths were classified according to the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) Perinatal Mortality Classification System, version 2.2, as part of each state or territory’s perinatal mortality review process.
The PSANZ Perinatal Mortality Classification System incorporates a Perinatal Death Classification (PSANZ-PDC) and an additional Neonatal Death Classification (PSANZ-NDC).
The PSANZ-PDC system classifies all perinatal deaths (stillbirths and neonatal deaths) by the single most important factor which led to the chain of events which resulted in the death (refer to Technical notes—Definitions used in reporting for cause of death classifications).
In 2015 and 2016:
The most commonly classified causes for all perinatal deaths were:
- Congenital anomaly (29.8%)
- Unexplained antepartum death (14.7%)
- Spontaneous preterm birth (11.7%).
The most commonly classified causes of stillbirths were:
- Congenital anomaly (29.4%)
- Unexplained antepartum death (19.6%)
- Specific perinatal condition (9.3%).
The most commonly classified causes of neonatal deaths were:
- Congenital anomaly (31.2%)
- Spontaneous preterm (28.8%)
- Perinatal infection (10.6%).