Obstetric causes of stillbirth at low socioeconomic settings

To determine the obstetric causes for stillbirth in low socio-economic settings.

A case-control retrospective study through data analysis was conducted at a tertiary university hospital, from January to June 2008. All pregnant women diagnosed with stillbirth after 28 weeks of gestation were included in the study. They were compared with women who had live birth during the study period. Both groups were identified from the admission, and labour room registers. The risk factors studied were maternal age, parity, gestational age, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, antepartum haemorrhage, obstructed labour and Prematurity. Stillbirth was defined as foetal death after 28 weeks of gestation.

Of the 1011 deliveries in the selected period, there were 100 still births (98/1000 deliveries). Both nulliparity and grand multiparity were significantly associated with stillbirths (p < 0.003 and p < 0.009 respectively). From the binary logistic regression analysis, obstetric factors which were significantly associated with stillbirth were obstructed labour ( OR 16.2, CI 5.5-47), hypertensive disorders (OR 9.6 CI 4-23), abruptio placentae (OR 136, CI 52-356), placenta previa (OR 71, CI 21-230), and preterm labour (OR 15 CI 4-54). Gender was not found significantly associated with stillbirth (p < 0.432)

Majority of stillbirths were due to risk factors which can be identified in the antenatal period.