Open AccessDiagnostic evaluation of intrauterine fetal deaths in Stockholm 1998–99
Author(s) -
Karin Petersson,
Katarina Bremme,
Roger Bottinga,
Alexandra Hofsjö,
Ingela HulthénVarli,
Marius Kublickas,
Margareta Norman,
Nikos Papadogiannakis,
Kjell Wånggren,
Kerstin Wolff
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2002.810402.x
Subject(s) - medicine , obstetrics , placental abruption , fetus , fetal death , gestational age , pregnancy , umbilical cord , intrauterine growth restriction , etiology , cause of death , gestation , prospective cohort study , pediatrics , surgery , disease , anatomy , biology , genetics
Background. To evaluate the diagnostic methods and to elucidate the etiology of intrauterine fetal death. Material and methods. A prospective study was conducted on all intrauterine fetal deaths occurring in Stockholm County in 1998–99. During a 24‐month period, 188 cases of intrauterine fetal death with gestational ages of ≥ 22 weeks were investigated in accordance with structured test protocol. All information from antenatal and delivery records as well as all test results were entered in to an Internet‐based database for continuous evaluation. Results. A presumptive explanation to the stillbirth was established in 91% of the cases. The most common factors associated with intrauterine fetal death could be identified as infections (24%), placental insufficiency/intrauterine growth restriction (22%), placental abruption (19%), intercurrent maternal conditions (12%), congenital malformations (10%), and umbilical cord complications (9%). Conclusions. A relevant test protocol in cases of intrauterine fetal death reduces the number of unexplained cases to a minimum. An Internet‐based register on test results of fetal deaths may enable a continuous evaluation of the diagnostic tools and etiologic factors in an ever‐changing panorama. The results from the present study can serve as a base for a case‐control study in Sweden.