title: Infectious causes of stillbirth: a clinical perspective.
abstract: Untreated infection may cause stillbirth by several mechanisms, including direct fetal infection, placental damage, and severe maternal illness. Many bacteria, viruses, and protozoa have been associated with stillbirth. In developed countries, up to 24% of stillbirths have been attributed to infection, although with increased availability of sophisticated diagnostics and rigorous screening, it appears likely that higher numbers may actually be associated with infection. In developed countries, ascending bacterial infection is usually the most common infectious cause of stillbirth, with a number of viral infections also an important factor. Screening, prevention, and treatment of maternal infections are important to reduce stillbirth risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Global School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Dudley
authors.forename: Uma M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D050497:Stillbirth; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D015047:Zoonoses