Understanding stillbirths and newborn deaths in India

The dynamics of late fetal and neonatal mortality in the Indian context

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11393535

This project aims to improve how stillbirths and early newborn deaths are counted and understood in India to help families and health programs better prevent them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11393535 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From your perspective, researchers will look closely at records and surveys about pregnancies, births, and newborn outcomes across India to fix gaps and errors in counting stillbirths and neonatal deaths. They will examine how factors like preterm birth, low birthweight, and small-for-gestational-age relate to these deaths and to mistakes in classification. The team will combine and compare different data sources (for example hospital records, household surveys, and registries) and use statistical methods to correct undercounts and misclassified events. Findings will be used to make measurement more accurate and to point to where health services can intervene.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Pregnant people, recent mothers, newborns, families affected by stillbirth or neonatal death, and health facilities or programs in India would be the relevant participants or data contributors.

Not a fit: People outside India, older children, or those without pregnancy or newborn outcomes are unlikely to be directly involved or benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: More accurate counts and understanding could guide better-targeted care and policies that lower stillbirths and newborn deaths in India.

How similar studies have performed: Related research has shown that improving data sources and correcting misclassification can change mortality estimates, but comprehensive, India-specific approaches addressing both stillbirths and early neonatal deaths are still needed.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.