Can We Prevent Stillbirth?

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the frequency of potentially preventable causes of stillbirth in a large heterogeneous population.

Study design: This is a retrospective study of all stillbirth cases between January 2011 and December 2016 at a single tertiary medical center. Deliveries resulting from a nonviable fetus prior to 24 weeks of gestation, intrapartum fetal death, and incomplete stillbirth workup were excluded. Potentially preventable stillbirth was defined as that of a nonanomalous fetus that most likely resulted from one or more of the following: (1) placental-mediated complications, (2) postterm pregnancy, (3) monochorionicity-associated complications, (4) cholestasis of pregnancy, (5) preventable or treatable infections, and (6) isoimmunization.

Results: During the study period, 312 stillbirths were identified, 228 of which met the inclusion criteria. Of the 110 cases with a recognized cause, 47 (20.6%) were potentially preventable. The most common causes were placental-mediated complications and preventable or treatable infections, accounting for 75 and 9% of all potentially preventable causes, respectively. There were no recognizable maternal risk factors for potentially preventable stillbirth.

Conclusion: One-fifth of all causes of stillbirth are potentially preventable. Due to the significant contribution of placental-mediated complications to preventable stillbirth, close sonographic surveillance and timely delivery may decrease risk substantially.