Infant Mortality JSNA

Evidence base

This section provides links and a brief summary of a robust evidence base. For example, peer-reviewd studies, systematic revies, evaluations of interventions and best practice guidelines from national sources.

Issue number 1 = highest priority
1	Source	NHS England
	Title incl. web link	Saving babies’ lives version three: a care bundle for reducing perinatal mortality NHS England » Saving babies’ lives version three: a care bundle for reducing perinatal mortality
	Summary	The guide aims to reduce perinatal mortality and includes best practices for: Reducing smoking in pregnancy Monitoring fetal growth Improving fetal monitoring during labour Reducing preterm births Enhancing awareness of reduced fetal movement It draws on NICE guidance and RCOG Green-top guidelines and is aligned with the Maternity Incentive Scheme. The goal is to halve stillbirth and neonatal death rates from 2010 levels by 2025. The guidance has a strong focus on equity and deprivation: Emphasises targeted interventions in areas of high deprivation Includes smoking cessation, fetal growth surveillance and preterm birth prevention
	Source	NHS England
	Title incl. web link	Maternity Transformation Programme: Choice and personalised care in maternity services NHS England » Choice and personalised care in maternity services
	Summary	The programme aims to ensure that maternity services are safe, personalised, kind, professional and family-friendly. Key guidance includes: Personalised Care and Support Planning: Every pregnant woman should have a plan tailored to her needs, preferences and circumstances. Informed Decision-Making: Women are supported to make choices about their care, including birth setting and pain relief. Local Maternity Systems (LMS): Regional partnerships responsible for delivering improvements in maternity care.
2	Source	NICE Guidance
	Title incl. web link	Pregnancy and complex social factors: a model for service provision for pregnant women with complex social factors Pregnant women who have problems with alcohol or drugs \| Information for the public \| Pregnancy and complex social factors: a model for service provision for pregnant women with complex social factors \| Guidance \| NICE
	Summary	This guideline provides a model of care for pregnant women with complex social factors, including substance misuse. It recommends: Specialist midwives or doctors for women with alcohol or drug problems Referral to treatment programmes Clear communication about the risks to the baby, including potential for neonatal withdrawal, developmental delays, and increased risk of infant mortality Support with transport and appointment reminders to improve access to antenatal care This guidance is part of a broader strategy to reduce inequalities in maternal and infant outcomes.
	Source	NHS England
	Title incl. web link	Drinking alcohol while pregnant Drinking alcohol while pregnant - NHS
	Summary	The NHS advises that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Key risks include: Miscarriage Stillbirth Preterm birth Low birth weight Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – a lifelong condition affecting learning, behaviour, and physical development Alcohol passes through the placenta, and because the fetus cannot process it, even small amounts can cause harm. The more alcohol consumed, the greater the risk to the baby.
3	Source	NICE Guidelines
	Title incl. web link	Maternity Services Guidance Maternity services \| Topic \| NICE
	Summary	NICE provides a suite of guidelines covering: Antenatal care (NG201) Intrapartum care (CG190) Postnatal care (NG194) Pregnancy with complex social factors (CG110) These guidelines emphasise the importance of timely, equitable access to maternity services and highlight how gaps in care can lead to: Delayed diagnosis of complications Increased risk of preterm birth Higher infant mortality in vulnerable populations
	Source	NHS England
	Title incl. web link	National Maternity Review NHS England » National Maternity Review
	Summary	National Maternity Review: Better Births Key findings include: Significant regional variation in access and outcomes. Smoking and obesity identified as major modifiable risk factors for poor birth outcomes. Personalised care plans and continuity of carer models are recommended to improve safety and satisfaction. The review found that inequities in service provision contribute to higher rates of stillbirth and neonatal death in some areas.