Epidemiology of stillbirth: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary care center located in central India

Authors: Moushmi B. Parpillewar,   Suchita R. Mundle,   Juzar I. Fidvi

Abstract

To measure regional stillbirth rate, to classify according to CODAC and to determine the sociodemographic, maternal, fetal, and intrapartum factors of stillbirths.   This was a cross-sectional, cohort study conducted over a year between April 2016 to March 2017 in a teaching hospital, Government Medical college and hospital, Nagpur, which is a tertiary care center located centrally in India. All the deliveries occurring during study period were evaluated, and stillbirths at ≥28 weeks of gestation (antepartum or intrapartum) or birth weight ≥1000grams studied. Risk factors were identified and cause of stillbirth was classified according to Cause of death and associated conditions (CODAC) classification.    Stillbirth rate was 34.9/1000. 316 (84.49%) were antepartum and 58(15.5%) were intrapartum deaths. Total 48.6% stillbirths occurred to the women in the age group of 21-25 years. Most of the stillbirths were preterm (65%). 41.42% babies had low birth weight. More than half of the stillbirths were associated with factors like hypertension, antepartum haemorrhage and intrauterine growth restriction.5.6% stillbirths were idiopathic.   Providing quality health care services at grass root level, proper antenatal care, and prompt referral can reduce the magnitude of stillbirths.

Keywords

Stillbirths; regional stillbirth rate; risk factors; CODAC classification; hypertension

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Epidemiology of stillbirth: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary care center located in central India