# Maternal metabolic health conditions and risk of stillbirth in India: evidence from a nationwide survey

## TL;DR

This study shows that diabetes and hypertension in mothers increase the risk of stillbirth in India, emphasizing the need for better prenatal care and targeted interventions.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the impact of maternal diabetes and hypertension on stillbirth risk in India using nationwide survey data.

## Key findings

- Diabetes increases the risk of stillbirth by 74% in Indian mothers.
- Hypertension increases the risk of stillbirth by 50% in Indian mothers.
- Scheduled caste mothers show a 30% higher stillbirth risk compared to others.

## Abstract

Stillbirth, defined by foetal death at or beyond 28 weeks of gestation, represents a significant challenge in India, contributing to approximately 500,000 foetal deaths each year. The country’s stillbirth rate of 12.2 per 1000 births underscores the imperative to address this preventable occurrence. While maternal metabolic conditions diabetes, and hypertension, are widely recognized as established risk factors for stillbirth worldwide, the extent of their impact on India’s stillbirth burden remains inadequately elucidated due to limited evidence.

This cross-sectional study utilized NFHS-5 data to examine stillbirths in the most recent pregnancy outcomes of 204,723 women aged 15–49 years, sampled from all states and union territories of India. The primary exposures assessed were diabetes, and hypertension. Descriptive analyses were conducted to determine the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and stillbirths. Logistic regression was used to quantify the association between diabetes, hypertension and the risk of stillbirth, indicated by adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The study also assessed effect modification by maternal age, education, wealth quintile, and social category.

The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension was 1% and 3% respectively, while the stillbirth rate was 1%. diabetes conferred a significantly higher risk of stillbirth with an increase of 74% (AOR 1.74, CI 1.14–2.67) as compared to women without diabetes. The risk was potential among mothers with hypertension with an increase of 50% (AOR 1.50, CI 1.16–1.95) on contrary to women without hypertension. The combined model (i.e. having diabetes or hypertension) also showed a significant risk of stillbirth with a higher risk of 58% (AOR 1.58, CI 1.25–1.99) indicating a synergistic interaction. Stratified analyses revealed the stillbirth risk among mothers belonging to the scheduled caste category (AOR 1.30, CI 1.10–1.53).

Diabetes, and hypertension, increase stillbirth risk in India, highlighting the need for better metabolic health management pre- and during pregnancy. Our research highlights the need of integrated care for diabetes and hypertension is crucial. Targeted interventions for high-risk mothers and improved screening are vital to reduce stillbirth rates. More research is needed to understand these risks better. Collaboration across medical fields is essential to save lives and improve pregnancy outcomes.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-23617-z.