How are fetal deaths counted in relation to gross and net death rates?

Fetal deaths are typically not included in either gross or net death rates. Gross death rates refer to the total number of deaths in a population, while net death rates usually account for deaths that occurred within a specific time frame while excluding certain conditions or populations from the count, such as non-viable births.

Fetal deaths are classified separately from neonatal and infant deaths due to their nature occurring before the fetus has reached a viable stage. Since gross and net death rates focus on end-of-life scenarios in populations where survival is possible, fetal deaths do not fit into this framework. Therefore, these deaths are excluded from calculations that determine the death rates of a population. This distinction helps maintain clarity and accuracy in health statistics and provides a true representation of mortality rates.