Costs and consequences of comprehensive stillbirth assessment.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the consequences and costs of comprehensive stillbirth assessment.


METHODS
Through reconstruction, we determined what consequences arise from assessment in the first 1477 stillborn pregnancies that were referred to the Wisconsin Stillbirth Service Program. Economic costs of stillbirth assessment were derived from real-time studies of those who performed the analyses and the costs of materials that were consumed.


RESULTS
When comprehensive, nonselective analysis is performed, new information that is relevant to recurrence risk estimation, prenatal diagnosis recommendation, or preconceptual, prenatal, perinatal, or neonatal treatment will arise in 51% of stillborn infants. The real cost of such assessment is approximately $1450 per assessment, or approximately $12 per cared-for pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Substantial relevant information can be learned from stillbirth assessment at a modest economic cost. Programs that can provide comprehensive stillbirth assessment services should become part of routine pregnancy care.
Michalski
Scott T
ST
Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53705, USA.
Porter
Jason
J
Pauli
Richard M
RM
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000191:economics; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000191:economics; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000191:economics; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000191:economics; D014922:Wisconsin