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Suboptimal care in stillbirths - a retrospective audit study
Eli Saastad1, Siri Vangen, J Frederik Frøen
1Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. eli.saastad@hiak.no
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
|May 9, 2007
Summary
Non-western women face higher stillbirth risks due to sub-optimal perinatal care. Addressing language barriers and improving antenatal care are crucial for reducing these disparities.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal epidemiology
- Maternal health disparities
- Obstetric care quality
Background:
- Stillbirth rates have declined due to improved perinatal care.
- Investigating ethnic disparities in stillbirth risk factors is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if sub-optimal care factors are more prevalent in stillbirths among non-western women compared to western women.
Main Methods:
- A population-based perinatal audit of 356 stillbirths (gestational week 23+) in Norway (1998-2003).
- Analysis included 31% of stillbirths involving non-western women.
- Multivariate statistical methods were employed to analyze care factors and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Sub-optimal care factors were identified in 37% of stillbirths.
- Non-western women had a 2.2-fold increased risk of stillbirth and a 2.4-fold increased risk of sub-optimal care.
- Sub-optimal obstetric care, including failure to act on non-reassuring fetal status, was more frequent in non-western women.
Conclusions:
- Non-western women represent a high-risk group for sub-optimal care factors contributing to stillbirth.
- Improving care requires reducing language barriers, enhancing identification/management of intrauterine growth restriction, and increasing vigilance towards non-western women.
