Maternal morbidity and mortality associated with intrauterine fetal demise: five-year experience in a tertiary referral hospital.
BACKGROUND
Risk factors for and management of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) have been investigated, but the maternal morbidity has not been evaluated.


METHODS
Over a 60-month interval, all cases of IUFD after 20 weeks' gestation were reviewed for maternal trauma and maternal postpartum complications.


RESULTS
In this retrospective analysis, 498 singleton and 24 twin pregnancies with an IUFD were identified. A cervical or perineal laceration requiring surgical repair complicated 9.4% of pregnancies. One uterine dehiscence and one uterine rupture occurred. Endometritis, the most common postpartum complication, occurred in 63 of 522 patients (12%). One maternal death occurred. Total mean hospital stay was 4.9 +/- 5.7 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal morbidity and rarely mortality can follow IUFD, but this morbidity is similar to that observed without IUFD.
Magann
E F
EF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505, USA.
Chauhan
S P
SP
Bofill
J A
JA
Waddell
D
D
Rust
O A
OA
Morrison
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008922:Mississippi / Q000453:epidemiology; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal