Calgary, AB — Dr. Stephanie Cooper, a Calgary obstetrician specializing in high-risk pregnancies, has witnessed the heartbreaking reality of stillbirths. Recent data from the Alberta government shows a troubling increase in stillbirths, particularly among younger women.
In 2023, Alberta recorded 454 stillbirths, the highest number since 2005. Despite a dip to 257 in 2011, the numbers have been steadily climbing since 2019. The increase has prompted concerns and calls for investigation into potential causes.
“A stillbirth is tragic every single time,” Cooper told CBC News. She highlighted the complexity of pinpointing exact causes, citing factors like congenital illnesses, prenatal care gaps, and socioeconomic barriers.
The data reveals particularly alarming trends among different age groups. The stillbirth rate among women aged 15 to 19 has quadrupled since 2017, reaching 26.32 per 1,000 births in 2023. Women aged 40 to 49 also show consistently higher stillbirth rates.
Dr. Joan Robinson, an expert in pediatric infectious diseases at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, pointed to the rising cases of congenital syphilis as a significant contributor to stillbirths. Syphilis, preventable and treatable with early screening, has seen a resurgence in Alberta since 2019.
“The outbreak of syphilis is a totally preventable problem,” Robinson stated, emphasizing the role of socioeconomic factors in access to care. Alberta’s chief medical officer of health declared a syphilis outbreak in July 2019, with cases of syphilitic stillborns remaining above 10 annually since then.
Alberta Health is investigating the causes of the increase, focusing on risk factors, data quality, and changes in stillbirth registration criteria. The province has allocated $1 million for a prenatal syphilis outbreak response project and $6 million to expand the Alberta Newborn Screening Program.
The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre in Calgary, led by CEO Aditi Loveridge, offers support to families experiencing pregnancy loss. Loveridge stressed the need to address the stigma surrounding stillbirth and provide better support to affected families.
“We need to let go of the judgment and start getting behind and actually supporting these folks,” Loveridge said.
As Alberta works towards long-term solutions, the rise in stillbirth rates remains a pressing issue for both medical professionals and families.
