Diagnostic evaluation of intrauterine fetal deaths in Stockholm 1998-99.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the diagnostic methods and to elucidate the etiology of intrauterine fetal death.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted on all intrauterine fetal deaths occurring in Stockholm County in 1998-99. During a 24-month period, 188 cases of intrauterine fetal death with gestational ages of > or = 22 weeks were investigated in accordance with structured test protocol. All information from antenatal and delivery records as well as all test results were entered in to an Internet-based database for continuous evaluation.


RESULTS
A presumptive explanation to the stillbirth was established in 91% of the cases. The most common factors associated with intrauterine fetal death could be identified as infections (24%), placental insufficiency/intrauterine growth restriction (22%), placental abruption (19%), intercurrent maternal conditions (12%), congenital malformations (10%), and umbilical cord complications (9%).


CONCLUSIONS
A relevant test protocol in cases of intrauterine fetal death reduces the number of unexplained cases to a minimum. An Internet-based register on test results of fetal deaths may enable a continuous evaluation of the diagnostic tools and etiologic factors in an ever-changing panorama. The results from the present study can serve as a base for a case-control study in Sweden.
Petersson
Karin
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. karin.petersson@obgyn.hs.sll.se
Bremme
Katarina
K
Bottinga
Roger
R
Hofsjö
Alexandra
A
Hulthén-Varli
Ingela
I
Kublickas
Marius
M
Norman
Margareta
M
Papadogiannakis
Nikos
N
Wånggren
Kjell
K
Wolff
Kerstin
K
D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology