PATTERN OF FETAL DEATHS AT A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF SINDH

Authors

  • Meharunnissa Khaskheli
  • Shahla Baloch
  • Imdad A. Khushk
  • Shaheen Sharf Shah

Abstract

Background: Perinatal mortality is a significant public health problem throughout the world. Itsprevalence is quite high in the developing countries on account of number of factors. Most of thecauses are treatable and fetal outcome can be improved by provision of good health care facilitiesduring antepartum and intrapartum periods and through public education regarding reproductivehealth and better utilization of health services.Objective: To determine the pattern of intrauterinefetal deaths before or in the process of labor in our tertiary care set up. Methods: This descriptivecase series was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (unit-IV) at LiaquatUniversity Hospital, Jamshoro, Sindh,from April 2002 to October 2003. In total, 50 intrauterinefetal deaths from 24 weeks of gestation to full term pregnancy were analyzed. The case records ofall the women were evaluated and data collected regarding their age, period of gestation, clinicalfeatures, antenatal records, previous obstetrical history, labor, mode of delivery as well ascomplications during or after the labor. Results: Out of 697 deliveries, 50 (7.17%) babies werestill born. Of these 84% were fresh still born. The commonest factors were antepartumhemorrhage (30%), mismanaged labor (26%), premature rupture of membranes (26%) andcongenital anomalies (16%). Conclusion: Majority of fetal deaths in our set up are due toavoidable factors. Hence, there is strong need to improve the quality of care by proper antenatalcare, identification of high risk cases and referral to tertiary care hospitals for proper managementto prevent morbidity and mortality in this regard.Keywords: Intrauterine; Fetal death; Causes; Prevention; Mortality

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Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2007): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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