5 districts in Karnataka reporting rise in stillbirths: Data

According to a report by the Health Department, 3.41% (per 1,000 births) of total births in the state are stillbirths, but some districts are recording rates as high as 9.30%, raising concern among health authorities.

Dharwad: Five districts of Karnataka are seeing a rise in the number of stillbirths, according to government data, which also shows that rates are higher in urban areas than in rural regions.

According to a report by the Health Department, 3.41 per cent (per 1,000 births) of total births in the state are stillbirths, but some districts are recording rates as high as 9.30 per cent, raising concern among health authorities.

Haveri district has the highest stillbirth rate, according to the report, followed by Dharwad, Chamarajanagar, Gadag and Mysuru. Alarmingly, some districts that earlier had negligible or very low stillbirth rates—such as Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Ballari, and Davangere—have shown a notable increase in the past three to four years.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao acknowledged the rise in some districts and said he had sought a report from district health authorities on the matter.

In 2020, Karnataka recorded 9.33 lakh births, of which 3.31 per cent were stillbirths. Of these, 221 cases (2.11 per cent) were from rural areas, while 3,105 cases (5.24 per cent) were from urban areas.

In 2024–25, the state recorded 9.91 lakh births, with 99 stillbirths (0.19 per cent) from rural areas and 3,145 cases (7.28 per cent) from urban areas, totalling 3,244 stillbirths. 

Explaining the causes behind stillbirths last year, the report states that 239 cases were due to slow fetal growth while 368 occurred due to breathing problems during delivery. Birth-related stress was cited as the reason for 518 stillbirths and strenuous work by pregnant women was said to be behind 173 stillbirths. As many as 12 were due to accidents, 19 due to voluntary abortions and 13 due to medical terminations.

Senior gynaecologist Dr Sanjiv Kulkarni said the major reasons for stillbirths in urban women include high blood pressure, diabetes, late arrival at hospitals and difficult labour, which often results in babies dying in the womb.

“Even though doctors advise expectant mothers to undergo regular check-ups, many neglect this guidance,” he said.

Alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity are also cited as contributing factors in the report.

Pediatrician Dr Rajan Deshpande said that some women, despite doctors recommending a caesarean section, insist on attempting a normal delivery and wait too long, which can lead to fatal outcomes for the baby.

Reacting to the findings, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the government is taking all necessary steps to curb stillbirths. “We have seen a rise in stillbirths in Haveri, Dharwad and Gadag. The respective District Health Officers (DHOs) have been directed to submit a detailed report within a month. We are also conducting health awareness programmes to educate women,” he stated.

Dharwad DHO S M Honakeri said that a special team has been formed to investigate the causes of stillbirths in the district, and the report will be submitted to the government within the next month.