Giving every baby an equal chance

According to a report of perinatal mortality in the UK from January to December 2013, babies of mothers living in poverty have a 57% higher risk of dying than those of women living in less deprived areas, the babies of Black, Black British, Asian or Asian British a 50% higher chance of dying than those of women of White ethnic origin, and the babies of teenage mothers and mothers over 40 have a 39% higher risk of dying in the perinatal period compared with those whose mothers are aged 30–34 years (Manktelow et al, 2015).

This report of perinatal deaths demonstrates once again that social economic determinants of health must be taken into account if we are to give every baby an equal chance, not only to survive but also thrive, starting life with positive experiences of care and support for the mother–baby and father–baby and family relationships that are so important to longer-term life chances.