A comparison of Pacific Islander and European stillbirths

From 1967-1978, there were 26,688 births at St Helens Hospital, Auckland. A comparison was made between the Pacific Island stillbirths, and 65 matched European stillbirths. The stillbirth rate for the European group was only 6.6 per 1000 births, despite the increased prevalence of the following adverse factors: preterm 42 percent, toxaemia 38 percent, and lethal congenital abnormalities 20 percent. There was a significantly increased incidence of neural tube defects in the European group. In contrast the Pacific Island stillbirth rate was 11.1 per 1000 births, and the important factors were: unknown gestation 17 percent, post-term delivery 17 percent, no antenatal care 8 percent, or born before arrival in 3 percent. Intrauterine anoxia was the major cause of stillbirths, especially in the Pacific Island group where 68 percent of the infants were 37 weeks gestation or more. Community education stressing the importance of good antenatal care beginning in early pregnancy is needed for the Pacific Island mothers, with the avoidance of postmaturity and intrauterine anoxia by appropriate obstetric treatment.