The rate of late fetal deaths in the United States, meaning losses at 28 weeks of pregnancy or later, fell 3% in 2024, according to final data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. The late fetal mortality rate dropped to 2.57 per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths, down from 2.66 in 2023, representing 9,333 losses.
The improvement did not extend to every stage of pregnancy. NCHS counted 19,837 fetal deaths at 20 weeks or more, often called stillbirths, in 2024, and the overall rate of 5.44 per 1,000 was not significantly different from the 2023 rate of 5.53. The early fetal mortality rate, covering 20 to 27 weeks, was unchanged at 2.89.
For expectant parents, the numbers are a reminder that stillbirth remains common enough to deserve attention at every prenatal visit. The report, published September 10, describes fetal mortality as "a major but often overlooked public health issue" that has drawn less public concern than infant death.
Wide Gaps by Race, Age, and Pregnancy Risk
None of the major racial and ethnic groups saw a statistically significant change from 2023 to 2024, and disparities remain large. The overall fetal mortality rate was 10.21 per 1,000 for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander mothers and 10.00 for Black mothers, compared with 4.63 for Hispanic, 4.55 for White, and 3.89 for Asian mothers. Among late losses alone, the rate for Black mothers was 4.34, nearly double the 2.23 rate for White mothers.
Black mothers accounted for 4,784 of the 19,837 fetal deaths reported in 2024, even though they had about 473,000 of the nation's roughly 3.6 million live births. Their rate has stayed around 10 per 1,000 every year since 2018, roughly twice the national rate.
Age also mattered. The rate was 7.41 for mothers ages 15 to 19, fell below 5 for women ages 25 to 34, and reached 10.73 for women 45 and older. Women who smoked during pregnancy had a rate of 10.30, more than twice the 4.84 rate for nonsmokers, and twin pregnancies had a rate of 11.45, more than double the 5.24 rate for single pregnancies.
One group improved. The rate for Central and South American mothers fell 11%, from 4.31 to 3.84, the only significant decline among the Hispanic subgroups NCHS tracks.
State Data Point to the Deep South
Because states have different reporting rules, NCHS compares states using losses at 24 weeks or more across three combined years. For 2022 through 2024, the national rate on that measure was 3.50 per 1,000. Mississippi had the highest rate at 5.70, while Vermont (2.40), Maine (2.51), New Hampshire (2.65), and Massachusetts (2.76) had the lowest. Among the most populous states, Texas was also in the lowest group at 2.87, while Georgia (4.48) and Florida (4.18) were well above the national rate.
Single-year 2024 figures for all losses at 20 weeks or more show a similar regional pattern. The highest rates were in Alabama (7.88), Mississippi (7.83), the District of Columbia (7.82), Nevada (7.45), and Georgia (7.13). NCHS cautions that a handful of states require reporting of fetal deaths at all stages of pregnancy while most start at 20 weeks, which can raise the counted rate in some places. Small counts can also make state comparisons less reliable.
The final report slightly revised an earlier estimate. Provisional data released in December 2025 had shown a 4% drop in the late rate, to 2.55, while the final figure is 2.57.
Causes remain hard to pin down. In the 43 states and the District of Columbia with adequate cause-of-death reporting, 32% of fetal deaths were listed as having an unspecified cause, and 23.7% were tied to complications of the placenta, umbilical cord, or membranes. The data describe patterns, not individual risk, and NCHS did not attribute the 2024 decline in late losses to any specific cause or program.
Prenatal Care Steps and Warning Signs for Families
Known risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, substance use, carrying more than one baby, being 35 or older, and a prior pregnancy loss, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Many stillbirths still have no identified cause even after testing.
Expectant parents can ask at each visit whether any condition calls for extra monitoring and can get help quitting smoking as early as possible. Anyone who notices the baby moving less than usual, vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or signs of preeclampsia such as a severe headache or vision changes should call a clinician or labor unit right away instead of waiting for the next scheduled appointment.
Cost should not delay prenatal care. Families without insurance can ask community health centers or local health departments about low-cost prenatal services, and organizations such as March of Dimes offer information and grief support for families who have experienced a loss.
Research efforts are expanding. In September 2025, NIH launched a five-year Stillbirth Research Consortium funded at more than $37 million to study causes and prevention. NCHS typically releases provisional figures for the following year in a rapid-release report, which will show whether the decline in late losses continued into 2025.
Key Questions Answered
What did the new CDC report find? The late fetal mortality rate, covering losses at 28 weeks or later, fell 3% to 2.57 per 1,000 in 2024. The overall rate for losses at 20 weeks or more was not significantly different from 2023.
How many stillbirths were reported in 2024? NCHS counted 19,837 fetal deaths at 20 weeks of pregnancy or more, including 9,333 at 28 weeks or later.
Who faces the highest rates? Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and Black mothers, women 45 and older, teen mothers, women who smoked during pregnancy, and people carrying twins or more had the highest rates.
Which states had the highest rates? For 2022 through 2024, Mississippi had the highest rate for losses at 24 weeks or more, at 5.70 per 1,000. Vermont had the lowest, at 2.40.
What warning signs should pregnant people watch for? Reduced fetal movement, vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, and severe headache or vision changes should prompt an immediate call to a clinician or labor unit.
Can stillbirth be prevented? Some risk factors, such as smoking and uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes, can be addressed with prenatal care. Many stillbirths still have no identified cause.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
