title: Stillbirth rate at an emerging tertiary health institution in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the stillbirth rate and factors predisposing to a stillbirth delivery at a teaching hospital in Nigeria, with the aim of identifying solutions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study of all stillbirths delivered at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Nigeria between January 1 and December 31, 2009. The sociodemographic characteristics of the mothers were documented and the possible causes of death were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 153 stillbirths and 2064 total deliveries, giving a stillbirth rate of 74 per 1000 deliveries. Of the stillbirths, 52.3% were fresh and 47.7% were macerated. Women who had not received prenatal care had a significantly higher stillbirth rate (P<0.05). The most likely cause of a macerated stillbirth was a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, whereas the likely causes of fresh stillbirths were labor-related. The "3 levels of delay" and injudicious use of oxytocin in labor contributed to the intrapartum stillbirths (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The stillbirth rate recorded in the study institution is unacceptably high. Appropriate prenatal care, timely intervention, and prompt and appropriate intrapartum care are key to achieving a reduction in the stillbirth rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Itukku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria. ezugwueuzebus@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Euzebus C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ezugwu
authors.forename: Hyacinth E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Onah
authors.forename: Hygenius U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Ezegwui
authors.forename: Chidi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nnaji
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D012923:Social Class; D050497:Stillbirth; D055815:Young Adult