A Retrospective study of intrauterine fetal death cases and associated maternal conditions

Abstract

Introduction: Intrauterine fetal death is an important indicator of maternal and perinatal health of a given population. This study was undertaken
to study the maternal and fetal factors associated with intrauterine fetal death. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of
intrauterine fetal death and associated maternal conditions over a period of one year from January 2020 to December 2020 in the department of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maharaja YashwantRao Hospital, Indore. The details were entered in a preformed proforma. The details of
complaints at admission, obstetrics history, menstrual history, examination findings, per vaginal examination findings, mode of delivery and fetal
outcomes, placental examination, condition of cord and investigation reports were recorded. Results: A total of 360 intrauterine fetal deaths were
reported amongst 8800 deliveries conducted during the study period. The incidence rate of intrauterine fetal death was 41/1000 live births. Three
hundred and fourteen deliveries were unbooked and unsupervised. The other observations were previous stillbirth (9.2%), gestational
hypertension (23.3%), antepartum hemorrhage (22%), and congenital malformations (CMFs) (16.9%).Conclusions: The incidence of intrauterine
fetal deaths in our population is higher than that reported from developed countries. This is associated with anemia, pregnancy-induced
hypertension, illiteracy, low socioeconomic status, and higher incidence of undiagnosed CMFs.