Confidential enquiry of stillbirths in current obstetric practice.
OBJECTIVE
Confidential panel enquiry into sub-optimal factors relating to stillbirths.


METHODS
All 121 stillbirths in KK Women's and Children's Hospital in the years 1995 and 1996 were studied. Three assessors reviewed the case records of each death, and panel consensus was reached regarding sub-optimal antenatal care and factors leading to stillbirths.


RESULTS
The incidence rate of stillbirth was 4.04 per 1000 deliveries. A total of 76 cases (62.8%) were found to have grade II and III sub-optimal factors in their management. Patients themselves were involved in the sub-optimal management of their own pregnancy in 52.9% of the stillbirths. Primary healthcare givers were involved in 8.3% of all stillbirths, specialist caregivers 12.4% and antenatal care system 4.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
The study has identified sub-optimal antenatal management in over 60% of cases. As patients' factors form the major contribution towards sub-optimal care, management strategy aimed towards improving patients' education and compliance to antenatal care should be a priority.
Tham
W L
WL
Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
Tan
K H
KH
Tee
C S
CS
Yeo
G S
GS
D000328:Adult; D003219:Confidentiality; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology