EXPLORING CAUSES OF STILLBIRTHS THROUGH RECODE CLASSIFICATION: A 4 YEAR EXPERIENCE IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study the causes of stillbirths through recode classification over 4 years in tertiary care hospital. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive study, with non-probability consecutive sampling, carried out from January 2016 till December 2019 in Lady Reading Hospital, which is a tertiary care hospital. Ethical approval was taken for the study. Relevant condition at death was recorded against the following headings under ReCoDe classification (along with the sub classifications) as a. Fetus b. Umbilical cord c. Placenta d. Amniotic fluid e. Uterus f. Mother g. Intrapartum h. Trauma i. Unclassified. Data was analysed on the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. RESULTS: The stillbirth rate recorded over 4 studied years was 7.8%, 6.4%, 5.9%and 4.7% in 2016 ,2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. It was observed that the most common relevant conditions at birth of stillborn babies were associated with fetal, maternal and placental causes. Fetal causes were, however, mainly contributed by congenital abnormalities (65.63%, 79%, 58.11% and 74% respectively). Among the placental causes, placental abruption remained the main killer (54%, 72%, 78% and 76%). Among the maternal causes, diabetes and hypertension contributed the most. Of other notable causes, ruptured uterus was found to be an important entity taking its toll each year (6%, 4%, 6% and 5.3% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ReCoDe classification is effective for use as data recording tool related to stillbirths.