Stillbirths at Eldoret District Hospital: a retrospective study

The result of a one year retrospective study on stillbirths (SBs) occurring at Eldoret District Hospital labour unit between 1st November and 31st October, 1992 is presented. The stillbirth rate (SBR) was 30.5 per 1000 births. 72.2% were fresh stillbirths (FSB). Intrapartum foetal asphyxia was the commonest probable cause of death accounting for 45.8% of all SBs while 26.4% of the SBs were unexplained. 43.9% of the SBs were low birth weight deliveries with mean gestational age for all SBs being 35.4 weeks. Spontaneous vaginal delivery was the commonest mode of delivery. 24.5% of the mothers were teenagers and 37.7% primigravidae. It is suggested that proper antenatal and intrapartum care can significantly reduce the SBR in this unit.