Risk factors for stillbirth at term: an Italian area-based, prospective cohort studyAJOG Global Reports at a Glance

Cristina Salerno, MD; Beatrice Melis, MD; Valeria Donno, MD; Gloria Guariglia, MD; Daniela Menichini; Enrica Perrone, MD; Fabio Facchinetti, MD; Francesca Monari, MD

AJOG Global Reports (Nov 2023)

Risk factors for stillbirth at term: an Italian area-based, prospective cohort studyAJOG Global Reports at a Glance

Cristina Salerno, MD,
Beatrice Melis, MD,
Valeria Donno, MD,
Gloria Guariglia, MD,
Daniela Menichini,
Enrica Perrone, MD,
Fabio Facchinetti, MD,
Francesca Monari, MD

Affiliations

Cristina Salerno, MD: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Mother-Infant and Adult Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy (Drs Salerno, Melis, Donno, Guariglia, Facchinetti, and Monari); Corresponding author: Cristina Salerno, MD.
Beatrice Melis, MD: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Mother-Infant and Adult Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy (Drs Salerno, Melis, Donno, Guariglia, Facchinetti, and Monari)
Valeria Donno, MD: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Mother-Infant and Adult Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy (Drs Salerno, Melis, Donno, Guariglia, Facchinetti, and Monari)
Gloria Guariglia, MD: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Mother-Infant and Adult Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy (Drs Salerno, Melis, Donno, Guariglia, Facchinetti, and Monari)
Daniela Menichini: International Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy (Dr Menichini)
Enrica Perrone, MD: Emilia-Romagna Health and Welfare Directorate, Community Care Department, Bologna, Italy (Dr Perrone)
Fabio Facchinetti, MD: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Mother-Infant and Adult Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy (Drs Salerno, Melis, Donno, Guariglia, Facchinetti, and Monari)
Francesca Monari, MD: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Mother-Infant and Adult Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy (Drs Salerno, Melis, Donno, Guariglia, Facchinetti, and Monari)

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 3, no. 4
p. 100269

Abstract

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BACKGROUND: Stillbirth at term has great emotional impact on both parents and professionals. In developed countries, efforts to identify risk factors are mandatory to plan area-specific prevention strategies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify independent risk factors that contribute to stillbirth at 37 weeks’ gestation or later. STUDY DESIGN: This was an area-based, prospective cohort study on pregnancy at term with enrolled from 2014 to 2021 in Emilia-Romagna, a north Italian region. Data were retrieved from both birth certificates and the Stillbirth Surveillance system database. To identify independent risk factors, a multivariate analysis using logistic regression was performed. A descriptive analysis of the causes of stillbirth is also reported. RESULTS: In the observation period, 246,437 babies born at term (including 260 stillbirths, giving a rate of 1.06/1000) were considered. The risk factors independently associated with stillbirth were small for gestational age babies (odds ratio, 2.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.88–3.53), pregnancy achieved though fertility treatments (odds ratio, 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–3.51), and delayed access to pregnancy services (odds ratio, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–2.22). In multipara, the presence of a previous stillbirth (odds ratio, 3.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.98–7.72) was also associated with an increased risk for recurrence. Early- rather than late-term was an additional risk factor. The most frequent causes of death were placental and cord disorders (61/260 and 56/260, respectively). However, 28.1% of cases remain unexplained. CONCLUSION: The risks for stillbirth at term are known early in pregnancy or could be identified through tailored antenatal management, allowing effective preventive strategies to reduce preventable cases.

Published in AJOG Global Reports

ISSN: 2666-5778 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Gynecology and obstetrics
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ajog-global-reports

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