History Of Fetal Death Research Articles

Risk Factors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Women Attending an Antenatal Care Clinic in Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Case-Control Study.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious health issue for both mother and child. As GDM is common worldwide, healthcare providers pay attention while screening and managing pregnant women to ensure good outcomes for both mother and child. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with developing GDM in pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is a case-control study that utilized patients' medical records for data collection. The study included 317 pregnant Saudi women who attended antenatal care clinics and antenatal diabetic clinics in PSMMC from May 2022 to May 2023. Cases were defined as women who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and had a positive oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) result, while controls were defined as women in the same age group and gravidity who had negative OGTT. Analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics version 29.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2021. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) Results: The total number of cases was 132 out of 313 total samples, representing 42.2% of the total sample. Three factors were associated with an increased risk of developing GDM, including a family history of diabetes (p-value <0.001), a history of GDM (p-value <0.001), and macrosomia (p-value = 0.020). The study also found higher BMI and advanced maternal age were risk factors for GDM (p-value = 0.004, 0.007), respectively. However, the study did not find a significant association between GDM and other factors, such as chronic disease prevalence, history of miscarriage, or history of fetal death. The study identified several risk factors associated with an increased risk of GDM including family history of diabetes, history of GDM, macrosomia, overweight/obesity, and advanced maternal age. It is recommended that antenatal care providers screen for GDM risk factors and closely monitor overweight, obese, or older women. Education and counseling on healthy lifestyle habits, such as maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in physical activity, may also be beneficial for preventing GDM. Further research is needed to confirm and identify additional risk factors for GDM.

Factores de riesgo genético y diagnóstico prenatal

Objective: To identify genetic risk factors and frequency and to describe congenital defects of the fetus. Methods: The research was conducted at the Genetic Research Institute of the Faculty of Medicine. University of Zulia. Maracaibo. We studied patients who attend to the prenatal genetic clinic. According to the Genetic risk factors Identified, it indicated different prenatal diagnostic procedures: fetal echography, fetal echocardiography, triple maternal serum marker, amniocentesis for fetal karyotype and molecular analysis. Results: We included 568 patients. 79.05% of the total showed only one genetic risk factor and the 20.95% two or more. The advanced maternal age was the most frequent genetic risk factor found (40.85%), followed by first-degree family history with a congenital defect (35.21%), abnormal fetal echography (13.73%), exposure to teratogenic agents (10.39%), history of recurrent abortion (7.04%), history of fetal death (4.22%), consanguinity (1.93%), and history of neonatal death (1.76%). They were diagnosed 101 fetuses with congenital defects, one balanced translocation, two fetal deaths and 26 spontaneous abortions. Conclusion: The genetic risk factors identification, served as a starting point to indicate prenatal diagnostic procedures allowed a health evaluation of the fetus and adequate genetic counseling. Key words: Prenatal diagnosis, Risk factors, Genetic counseling.

Study of mortality risk factors for children under age 5 in Abu Dhabi

We investigated the association of biological, sociocultural and economic risk factors with child mortality in Abu Dhabi from 1 January-31 December 1997. With McNemar chi-squared test, most selected biological risk factors were statistically associated with child mortality, although maternal age older than 40 years and history of fetal death were not positively correlated with neonate, infant or age under 5 mortality. Among sociocultural and economic risk factors, maternal lack of formal education and low monthly income were significantly associated with child death. Consanguinity was significantly associated with under 5 and infant but not neonatal mortality. Gestation <37 weeks was highly associated with mortality among all ages. Strengthening health care programmes and emphasizing the need to identify high risk groups should be priorities.

Diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic features of gestational diabetes at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center

IntroductionLes objectifs de cette étude étaient de décrire les aspects diagnostiques, pronostiques et thérapeutiques du diabète gestationnel au CHU Sylvanus Olympio de Lomé.MéthodesIl s'est agi d'une étude descriptive transversale réalisée sur 5 ans allant du 1er janvier 2013 au 31 décembre 2017. Elle a concerné 125 gestantes ayant accouché, suivies en médecine interne et dans le Service de Gynéco-obstétrique.RésultatsLa moyenne d'âge maternelle était de 30,84±4,17 ans. Les facteurs de risque les plus rencontrés étaient le surpoids et l'obésité (57,7%), antécédent de diabète familial (33,3%), antécédent de fausse couche spontanée (26,6%), antécédent de mort fœtale in utero (MFIU) (15,5%) et de l'antécédent du diabète gestationnel (8,8%). Le dépistage du diabète gestationnel a été réalisé par la glycémie à jeun et hyperglycémie provoquée (HGPO) à 75g. Le diagnostic a été posé au premier trimestre dans 55,6% des cas, au deuxième trimestre dans 33,3% et 11,1% au troisième trimestre. Le recours à l'insulinothérapie a été nécessaire dans 24,4% des cas et 66,6% sous régime seul. Soixante-six virgule sept pour cent (66,7%) des femmes ont accouché par césarienne et 33,3% par voie basse. Parmi les complications maternelles à l'accouchement, nous avons retrouvé 22,2% de HTA, 17,7% de pré-éclampsie et 2,2% de RPM. Parmi les complications du nouveau-né, il y avait 48,9% de macrosomie, 11,1% de prématurité, 11,1% d'hypoglycémie, 4,4% de malformation et 4,4% mort-né. Quatre-vingt-huit virgule neuf pour cent (88,9%) des nouveaux nés avaient un score d'APGAR supérieur à 7 et plus de 48% étaient des macrosomes.ConclusionLe diabète gestationnel entraîne des complications materno-fœtales. La nécessité d'un dépistage systématique est obligatoire même en l'absence de facteur de risque afin de programmer une prise en charge optimale.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus among women screened with the two-step and one-step methods: A before-and-after study

ObjectiveTo compare the risk profiles for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) using a one-step and two-step screening method and diagnostic criteria. Materials and methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among women screened using Carpenter and Coustan's (C&C) criteria (two-step method) and the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria (one-step method). All deliveries after 28 weeks of gestation, except for pregnancies complicated by pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus, were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the associations between GDM and various potential risk factors. ResultsRisk factors for C&C-defined GDM were pre-pregnancy body mass index >24.2 kg/m2 (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.92–3.23), maternal age at delivery >34 years (adjusted OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.96–3.09), history of fetal death (adjusted OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.37–4.78), and chronic hypertension (adjusted OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.50–8.91). In addition to these factors, conception assisted by reproductive technology (adjusted OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.19–2.25) and genetic amniocentesis (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03–1.38) were IADPSG-defined GDM risk factors. ConclusionRisk factors for GDM differ with the diagnostic criteria used. This information is important when changing GDM screening strategies from the two-step approach to the one-step approach.

Frequency and Maternals risk factors of fœtal intra uterin death at Kamina, Democratic Republic of Congo

IntroductionLa mort fœtale in utero constitue un problème fréquent dans la pratique obstétricale. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de déterminer la fréquence et d'identifier les facteurs de risque de la mort fœtale in utero à l'Hôpital Général de Référence de Kamina.MéthodesL’étude était effectuée en deux temps. En premier lieu, une étude descriptive transversale sur 379 accouchements qui avait permis de déterminer la fréquence de la mort fœtale in utero. La détermination des facteurs de risque était faite à l'aide d'une étude cas-témoins dans laquelle les caractéristiques de 53 morts in utero ont été comparées à 106 témoins constitués des naissances vivantes et à terme.RésultatsLa fréquence de la mort fœtale in utero à l'Hôpital Général de Référence de Kamina était de 13,9%. Après ajustement, l’âge maternel de plus de 35 ans (OR = 6,23; IC= (1,30-29,80)), l'antécédent de mort fœtale in utero (OR = 3,13; IC= (1,06-9,27)) et la maladie au cours de la grossesse (OR = 31,6, IC= (7,66-130,71)) ont été retenus comme facteurs significativement associés à l'augmentation de la survenue de la mort fœtale. L'instruction élevée de la mère (OR = 0,11; IC= IC= [0,03-0,42]) et la résidence à Kamina (OR = 0,23; IC= (0,08-0,62)) diminuaient ce risque.ConclusionLa fréquence de la mort fœtale in utero était de 13,9%. L’âge maternel avancé l'antécédent de mort in utero et la maladie au cours de la grossesse étaient associés à la mort fœtale in utero mais par contre, l'instruction élevée de la femme et la résidence à Kamina diminuaient le risque. La surveillance des gestantes à risque, le dépistage et la prise en charge des maladies pendant la grossesse s'avèrent nécessaires dans la perspective de réduire la fréquence de la mort fœtale in utero dans notre milieu.

Hématome rétroplacentaire : terrain et facteurs pronostiques revisités à propos d’une série de 171 cas en Guyane francaise

To describe the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic factors of placental abruption and fetal death in utero and to investigate possible risk factors for their occurrence. Observational retrospective study including the women having presented a placental abruption between January 2001 and January 2012, in a IIB maternity. Women's sociodemographic characteristics, clinical symptoms and the method used to detect placental abruption were collected. Patient data of those whose pregnancy resulted in fetal death were compared to those with more favorable outcomes. There were 171 cases of placental abruption among 21,913 patients having delivered, which represents a 0.78% incidence. Diagnosis was rarely based on clinical data (30%). The rate of fetal death in utero represented 25% of the pregnancy's outcomes. A history of fetal death in utero increased the risk of placental abruption (P<0.001). This complication was more frequent for patients who did not have pregnancy monitoring (P=0.054) and before 37 weeks of amenorrhoea (P=0.005). Placental abruption is an important cause of perinatal mortality and maternal morbidity. Among the observed risk factors, only regular pregnancy monitoring can be an easy way to prevent these complications.

The Effect of Pregnancy-Adaptation Training Package on the Anxiety of Pregnant Women with a Prior History of Fetal or Neonatal Death

Background: One of the factors of affecting maternal anxiety is a history of fetal death or neonatal death. This anxiety affects fetal and maternal health. By consideration the impact of anxiety on fetal and maternal health and the lack of protective activities in this field, this study was done to determine the impact of adaptation with pregnancy educational package on anxiety and maternal fetal attachment in pregnant women with a history of baby loss. Methods:60 pregnant women were selected in two studying group with previous fetal death or neonatal death by convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Educational package includes: teaching session's adaptation with pregnancy in four 60- minutes, training booklet and CD, maternal educating was beginning from 23 week gestation. Maternal anxiety measured before and after the intervention in both groups using the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test and STAI anxiety questionnaire was compared. Results: visible and invisible Anxiety scores had not significant difference between two groups pre-intervention. Immediately after the intervention visible and invisible anxiety scores in the experimental group was better than the control group (P ≤ 0.05, P ≤ 0.05 vice versa). Conclusion: Adaptation with pregnancy educational package reduces anxiety in pregnant women with a history of fetal or neonatal death. So, due to reduce the damaging effects of anxiety on the mother and fetus in pregnancy, holding effective proceeding for reducing anxiety such as: holding training courses are recommended for pregnant women with a history of fetal or neonatal death.

Unexplained fetal death: Are women with a history of fetal loss at higher risk?

To identify factors, including the loss of a previous pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, which are associated with increased risk of singleton antepartum unexplained fetal death (UFD) in Western Australia (WA) using information recorded in routine data collections. All fetal deaths in WA from 1990 to 1999 that underwent thorough post-mortem investigations were classified using the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand Perinatal Death Classification System. All UFDs were selected as cases and unmatched controls were randomly drawn from all live births in WA occurring during the study period. Demographic and clinical information on cases and controls was obtained from the WA Midwives' Notification System. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out to determine the independent effect of risk factors and calculate odds ratios. Almost one quarter (22%) of stillbirths were unexplained. Primigravid and primiparous women with a history of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks were at higher risk of UFD than multiparous women who had not experienced any loss. Women with a history of fetal death (after 20 weeks) had the highest risk of UFD. The current practice of closely monitoring pregnant women with a history of fetal loss or death should continue as this study suggests they may have a higher risk of poor obstetric outcome. Larger studies are needed to confirm the association between previous pregnancy loss and UFD.

Deep venous thrombosis in the antenatal period in a large cohort of pregnancies from western India.

BackgroundDeep venous thrombosis (DVT) is an important complication in the peripartal and postpartal period.MethodsWe followed up prospectively the prevalence of DVT in 34720 prenatal mothers between June 2002 and July 2006 attending the antenatal clinics of two major hospitals in Mumbai, India. Thirty two women (0.1%) presented for the first time with symptomatic DVT i.e. 17 in the first trimester, 6 in the second and 9 in the third trimester of pregnancy. Nine had history of fetal loss while in the remaining twenty three there was no history of fetal loss.ResultsThe evaluation of both acquired and heritable thrombophilia showed a conglomeration of thrombophilia in this group when compared to 100 normal pregnant women who have given birth to at least one healthy baby with no history of fetal death, DVT or other obstetrical complications. The relative risks for all the antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) studied i.e lupus anticoagulant (LA), IgG/IgM antibodies for cardiolipin (ACA), β2 glycoprotein 1 (β2 GP 1) and annexin V were significantly higher in women with pregnancy associated DVT (RR 7.4 95% CI 4.3–11.3 P < 0.05). Among the genetic thrombophilia markers studied, Protein S (PS) deficiency was the strongest risk factor (RR 5.00 95% CI 3.02–5.00 P < 0.05) followed by factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation (RR 4.57 95% CI 2.23–4.57 P < 0.05) and PAI 4G/4G homozygosity (RR 3.24 95% CI 1.85–5.12 P < 0.05). Protein C (PC) and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) 23 bp insertion polymorphism was also increased in the patient group as compared to controls but the difference was not statistically significant. The MTHFR C677T, fibrinogen gene β448 Arg/Lys polymorphisms were not significantly different from the normal controls, while antithrombin III (AT III) deficiency and PT G20210A polymorphism were absent in both controls and patients. Two or more risk factors were present in 22 out of 32 cases (68.75%).ConclusionWe conclude that the prevalence of DVT in India is more or less similar to other reports published and both acquired and heritable thrombophilia show strong association with DVT associated with pregnancy.

Large social disparities in spontaneous preterm birth rates in transitional Russia

This study estimated the effect of maternal sociodemographic, obstetric and lifestyle factors on the risk of spontaneous preterm birth in a Russian town. All women with singleton pregnancies registered at prenatal care centres in Severodvinsk in 1999 comprised the cohort for this study (n=1559). Analysis was based on spontaneous live singleton births at the maternity home (n=1103). Multivariable logistic regression was applied to quantify the effect of the studied factors on the risk of preterm birth. Differences in gestation duration were studied using multiple linear regression. In total, 5.6% of all spontaneous births were preterm. Increased risks of preterm delivery were found in women with lower levels of education and in students. Placental complications, stress and a history of fetal death in previous pregnancies were also associated with elevated risks for preterm delivery. Smoking, hypertension and multigravidity were associated with reduced length of pregnancy in metric form. In addition to medical risk factors, social factors are important determinants of preterm birth in transitional Russia. Large disparities in preterm birth rates may reflect the level of inequalities in transitional Russia. Social variations in pregnancy outcomes should be monitored.

Self-inflicted cesarean section with maternal and fetal survival

An unusual case of self-inflicted cesarean section with maternal and child survival is presented. No similar event was found in an Internet literature search. Because of a lack of medical assistance and a history of fetal death in utero, a 40-year-old multiparous woman unable to deliver herself alone vaginally sliced her abdomen and uterus and delivered her child. She was transferred to a hospital where she underwent repair of the incisions and had to remain hospitalized. Mother and child survived the event. Unusual and extraordinary measures to preserve their offspring sometimes moves women to extreme decisions endangering their own lives. Social, educational, and health measures should be instituted all over the world, particularly in rural areas of developing countries, to avoid such extreme events.

Prevention of fetal death in the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

The first treatment of pregnant women with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS) employed high doses of corticosteroids, plus low dose aspirin, with the goal of suppressing production of the autoantibody. Corticosteroids (usually prednisone), even when much lower doses are used, and even when tapered after midpregnancy, have been associated with significant maternal and obstetric risks and side effects: the most important are osteomalacia and preterm delivery (often precipitated by premature rupture of the membranes). Since the publication of a randomized trial demonstrating equivalent live birth rates of about 75% whether heparin or prednisone was used for treatment (plus low dose aspirin), the use of adjusted doses of heparin, together with low dose aspirin, has replaced prednisone for treatment of pregnant women; although prednisone may still be needed to treat manifestations of associated autoimmune disorders. A recent randomized trial has shown that the addition of heparin to aspirin is probably superior to treatment with aspirin alone. To achieve prophylactic levels of plasma heparin equivalent to those measured in patients who are not pregnant and are treated with the usual dose of standard heparin of 5000 IU every 12 h, the heparin dose required for treatment of pregnant women is usually higher. For that reason, heparin doses should be adjusted using the nadir APTT, or better plasma heparin measured by a factor Xa inhibition assay at the 2 h post-injection peak. Although low molecular weight heparin has been shown to be useful in prevention of fetal resorption in a mouse model, and appears to be equally safe for treatment of pregnant women, we still have no published data to show therapeutic equivalency, with respect to treatment of APLS-complicated pregnancy, to standard heparin preparations, and none that demonstrate any lower risk for the complication of most concern when heparin is given to pregnant women-osteopenia. Similarly, intravenous infusion of gamma globulins (IVG) appears on the basis of case reports to be effective additional treatment in cases where standard therapy has failed. Gamma globulin preparations contain anti-idiotypic antibodies that have been shown to bind to patient antiphospholipid antibodies. The place for the addition of IVG to standard therapy has not been defined, but clinically significant and corticosteroid-resistant thrombocytopenia complicating antiphospholipid antibody syndrome might be one indication for primary treatment with IVG +/- low dose aspirin. Overall, live birth rates in most treatment studies are in the range of 70-80%. The reported birth rate information, however, cannot be compared between studies. None of the studies reported have used tools such as logistic regression analysis to allow for such significant predictors of live birth as the number of prior miscarriages, maternal age, medical history, or a history of fetal death (loss of a viable and chromosomally normal fetus after the 10th gestational week).

Antiphospholipid antibodies in pregnancy.

We assessed the relationship between antiphospholipid antibodies and recurrent miscarriage, fetal deaths, and the pregnancy complications--placental abruption, fetal growth retardation and preeclampsia. The subjects were 81 women with a history of 3 or more miscarriages, 62 with a history of fetal death in the index pregnancy, 105 with a poor obstetric history or pregnancy complications and 13 with systemic lupus erythematosus. Antiphospholipid antibodies were found in 41% of women with a history of recurrent miscarriages, 29% with a history of recent intermediate fetal death or stillbirth, 19% with a poor obstetric history and 69% with systemic lupus erythematosus. There is a high incidence of antiphospholipid antibodies in complicated pregnancies. Patients presenting with the above pregnancy disorders should be tested for antiphospholipid antibodies because of the risk conferred on a fetus by their presence and to expand the treatment options.