Intra Uterine Fetal Death And Some Related Factors: A Silent Tragedy In Southeastern Iran

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence, and some causes of intra uterine fetal death (IUFD). Methods: This was a prospective observational study of all stillbirths over a 2 years from April 2011 to April 2013 at the Imam Ali University Teaching Hospital of zahedan,Iran The variables studied were the following: demographic characteristic, fetal factors and maternal factors. Data was collected prospectively by directly interviewing the pregnant women and from the medical chart .Data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) statistical package. Results: The incidence of IUFD at our hospital was 88.7 per 1000 total births. The intra uterine fetal rate had been increased in maternal ages under 20 years and above 35 years that showed a significant difference between this group and other groups(P=0.001).There was a significant trend in parity of 1 and parity of 10 and above. The rate of IUFD tended to decreased with increasing gestational age .There were 437 (54.1%) macerated and 370 (45.8%) fresh death fetus. Unexplained’ IUFD, Major congenital malformations, PROM, and preeclampsia were the three main causes of intra uterine fetal death. Discussion: Unfortunately, in our study the incidence of IUFD was very high. The main risk factors identified were lack of antenatal care. Despite the difficulty in predicting IUFD occurrence, it appears that carefully implemented antenatal care, family planning, genetic counseling and timely management of at risk patients may contribute to its prevention.