A multicenter, case-control study on risk factors for antepartum stillbirth.
OBJECTIVE
As the influence of socio-demographic variables, lifestyle and medical conditions on the epidemiology of stillbirth (SB) is modified by population features, we aimed at investigating the role played by these factors on the incidence of SB in a developed country.


METHODS
Multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR with 95% CI) was utilized in a prospective multicentre nested case-control study to compare in a 1:2 ratio stillborn of >22 weeks gestation with matched for gestational age live-born (LB) infants. Intrapartum SB were excluded.


RESULTS
Two hundred fifty-four consecutive SBs and 497 LBs were enrolled. Socio-demographic variables were equally distributed. Fetal malformations (7.96, 2.69-23.55), severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (birthweight ≤ 5(th) %ile) (4.32, 2.27?8.24), BMI > 25 (2.87, 1.90-4.33), and preeclampsia (PE, 0.40, 0.21-0.77) were recognized as independent predictors for SB. At term, only BMI > 25 was associated with SB (7.70, 2.9-20.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal malformations, severe IUGR and maternal BMI > 25 were associated with a significant increase in the risk of SB; PE presented instead a protective role. Maternal BMI > 25 was the only risk factor for SB identified in term pregnancies.
Facchinetti
Fabio
F
Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. Facchi@unimore.it
Alberico
Salvatore
S
Benedetto
Chiara
C
Cetin
Irene
I
Cozzolino
Sabrina
S
Di Renzo
Gian Carlo
GC
Del Giovane
Cinzia
C
Ferrari
Francesca
F
Mecacci
Federico
F
Menato
Guido
G
Tranquilli
Andrea L
AL
Baronciani
Dante
D
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002423:Cause of Death; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult