Evaluating intramural stillbirths in a tertiary care centre of North India - An observational study

Abstract

Introduction: India shares the highest magnitude of stillbirths among all South East Asian Countries in the world. Along with known preventable causes of still births, there are other associated factors which also plays an important role. The main objective of our study was to find out the causes of Still Births and associated logistic issues in all those pregnant women who were admitted with live fetus in a tertiary care centre but had still birth during their stay in a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: This study included all pregnant women who had SB during hospital stay over a period of one year. Results: The still birth rate during period of study was 63 per 1000 total births. Out of these 376 women, 66(17.5%) were admitted with live fetuses but had still births during hospital stay. The main causes of still births were hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (21), birth defects (18), antepartum hemorrhage (12) and prematurity (7). There were 17 (25.7%) still births attributed to lack of space in Neonatal intensive care unit or lack of funds due to poor socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The mostcommon preventable causes of still births were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and iatrogenic prematurity. Other associated factors were limited health facilities, patient related factors, illiteracy, poor socioeconomic status, logistic issues in accessing health care and delayed referral also has a significant role. These could be prevented by improving the premature infant care with strengthening health care facilities and targeting hypertensive disorder of pregnancy at root level.

Keywords

• still birth rate
• intramural still birth
• hypertensive disorder of pregnancy
• suboptimal care
• prematurity