title: Metaanalysis of the prevalence of intrauterine fetal death in gastroschisis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to review the medical literature that has reported the risk for intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) in pregnancies with gastroschisis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched the literature to identify all published studies of IUFD and gastroschisis through June 2011 that were archived in MEDLINE, PubMed, or referenced in published manuscripts. The MESH terms gastroschisis or abdominal wall defect were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-four articles were included in the metaanalysis. There were 3276 pregnancies in the study and a pooled prevalence of IUFD of 4.48 per 100. Those articles that included gestational age of IUFD had a pooled prevalence of IUFD of 1.28 per 100 births at ≥36 weeks' gestation. The prevalence did not appear to increase at >35 weeks' gestation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall incidence of IUFD in gastroschisis is much lower than previously reported. The largest risk of IUFD occurs before routine and elective early delivery would be acceptable. Risk for IUFD should not be the primary indication for routine elective preterm delivery in pregnancies that are affected by gastroschisis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. andrew.south@cchmc.org
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: South
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Stutey
authors.forename: Jareen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meinzen-Derr
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020139:Gastroschisis; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk
keywords: IUFD; abdominal wall defect; fetal death; gastroschisis; stillbirth