Diagnostic evaluation of intrauterine fetal deaths in Stockholm 1998-99 |
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Authors: | Petersson Karin Bremme Katarina Bottinga Roger Hofsjö Alexandra Hulthén-Varli Ingela Kublickas Marius Norman Margareta Papadogiannakis Nikos Wånggren Kjell Wolff Kerstin |
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Affiliation: | Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. karin.petersson@obgyn.hs.sll.se |
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Abstract: | 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 > or = 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. |
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