Stillbirths and neonatal deaths in appropriate, small and large birthweight for gestational age fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the risk of stillbirth and neonatal death in small-for-gestational-age (SGA), appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) fetuses and neonates.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 662 043 births and outcomes recorded in the Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit (1992-2002).


METHODS
Births in Victoria in 1992-2002.


METHODS
Multiple pregnancy and congenital birth defects.


METHODS
Births, stillbirths and neonatal deaths at each week of gestation after 23 weeks were stratified by birthweight into appropriate, small and large for gestational age. Stillbirth risk per 1000 ongoing pregnancies and neonatal death rate per 1000 live births were calculated.


RESULTS
For the AGA group, the overall stillbirth risk was 2.88 per 1000 and neonatal death rate was 1.35 per 1000. In the LGA group, these were 2.62 and 1.83 per 1000, respectively. The slight increase in neonatal death rate among LGA fetuses was confined to those delivered after 28 weeks gestation. In the SGA group, the stillbirth risk and neonatal death rate were 15.1 and 3.99 per 1000, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of stillbirth per week of gestational age and neonatal death rates do not differ significantly between AGA and LGA fetuses and neonates. The SGA fetus is at significantly greater risk of both stillbirth and neonatal death, particularly with advancing gestational age.
Vashevnik
Stas
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. stas1975@optusnet.com.au
Walker
Susan
S
Permezel
Michael
M
D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology