Babies born to black mothers 81% more likely to die in neonatal care, NHS study shows

Babies born to black mothers in England and Wales and those from the most deprived areas are significantly more likely to die while in neonatal units, according to analysis revealing the “deeply concerning” figures.

The study, led by academics at the University of Liverpool, examined data on more than 700,000 babies admitted to an NHS neonatal unit across England and Wales between 2012 and 2022.

Babies born to black mothers had the highest mortality rates for the majority of years in the study, with an 81% higher risk of dying before discharge compared with babies born to white mothers.

The highest mortality rate for black babies stood at 29.7 deaths per 1,000 babies, with the highest rate for white babies at 16.9 deaths per 1,000 babies.

For babies born to mothers living in the most deprived areas of England and Wales, the elevated risk stood at 63% compared with the least deprived babies.

The highest mortality rate for babies born to the most deprived mothers was 25.9 deaths per 1,000 babies in 2022, compared with 12.8 deaths per 1,000 for their least deprived counterparts.

Samira Saberian, a PhD student at the University of Liverpool and the lead author of the study, said the analysis showed that “socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities independently shape survival in neonatal units, and maternal and birth factors explain only over half of the socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities”.

She added: “To reduce these inequalities, we need integrated approaches that strengthen clinical care while also tackling the wider conditions affecting families.

“By improving services and addressing the root drivers of inequality, we can give the most vulnerable babies a better chance of survival.”

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Source: The Guardian, 4 November 2025