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Analysis of stillbirths in a Nigerian mission hospital
1Department of Child Health University of Benin Teaching Hospital PMB 1111, Benin City, Nigeria. alpndiony@yahoo.com
Background:
In Nigeria, perinatal mortality remains a major health problem with the balance heavily tilted towards the stillbirth component. Knowledge of the relative importance of the different causes of stillbirth is lacking, even in hospital settings.
Objective:
To determine the stillbirth rate in a Nigerian mission hospital and document its risk factors.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, the case records of 131 mothers who had stillbirths were studied and the data obtained analyzed. The relevant hospital delivery registers were also examined.
Results:
Stillbirth rate was 39.7 per 1000 births with 51.9% and 48.1% being macerated and fresh stillbirths respectively. Antepartum haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia/ eclampsia and prolonged/obstructed labour were the three leading risk factors for stillbirth. Low birthweight babies were also at increased risk of foetal death. Majority (61.8%) of mothers whose babies were still-born belonged to low social class.
Conclusion:
Our stillbirth rate remains unacceptably high and strategies to reduce it must focus on antenatal and intrapatum emergency obstetric care and early referrals in hospital setting.
