India, April 10 -- A recent analysis of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data reveals a significant undercounting of stillbirths in India. The data suggests that this issue is particularly prevalent for stillbirths occurring before 28 weeks of gestation.

Stillbirths occurring before 28 weeks of gestation are not captured in routine surveys, contributing to systematic underestimation and missed opportunities for targeted interventions, the study said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) definition for international reporting of stillbirths is foetal death at more than or equal to 28 completed weeks' gestation or a birth weight greater than or equal to 1,000 g if gestational age is unknown.

The study, published in The Lancet Regional...