Stillbirths in Qatar: a review of 83 cases

To evaluate the aetiology, diagnostic procedures and current management of stillbirths in Qatar, 83 stillbirths with a birth weight of more than 500 g were studied. The validity of the cause of death was classified as certain, probable and unexplained. Frequency and descriptive statistics were used. The stillbirth rate was 8.15 per 1000. The cause of death was certain in 29%, probable in 62% and remained entirely unexplained in 9% of the cases. The major factors that might be the causes of fetal death were intrauterine growth retardation (23%), abruptio placentae (16.3%), congenital anomalies (13.3%), gestational diabetes (9.6%) and hydrops fetalis (7.2%). The cause of death was found unavoidable in 24 cases (29%). The autopsy rate was terribly low (1/80) and far away from the recommended rate of 75%. The introduction of a stillbirth programme, that includes post-mortem autopsy, in any maternity hospital, is considered crucial to reach a specific diagnosis for almost all stillbirths and to prevent fetal death in future pregnancies. However, if the patient or her family refused autopsy, a combination of patience and learned communication can pave the way to their understanding and acceptance of the procedure. Postmortem magnetic resonance imaging may be used as alternative to autopsy if it is refused.