title: [Stillbirths in Germany: Retrospective Analysis of 168 Cases between 2003 and 2011].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The decline in the incidence of stillbirths in Germany has remained static in recent years. This study aims to analyse the current situation of data documentation and examination of stillbirths. Furthermore, possible stillbirth prevention strategies should be developed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches in the international peer-reviewed literature, retrospective data collection of 168 stillbirths in 8 hospitals, (in the area of Bonn) with subsequent statistical evaluation (descriptive statistics, t-test and binominal test) were undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study shows considerable deficits in data documentation, interdisciplinary communication and postmortal examination. Only in 51.8% (87/168) of the cases was a certain or uncertain cause of death found (42.3% placental, 1.2% foetal, 3.6% chromosomal, 4.8% umbilical cord abnormalities). Severe foetal growth restriction (<5(th) percentile) was observed in 29.2%; 44.9% (22/49) of them died at the age of ≥36+0 weeks of gestation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The first step to reduce the rate of stillbirths in Germany is to increase the identified causes of foetal death: Therefore, an interdisciplinary case report form was compiled to improve data collection and interdisciplinary collaboration. To standardise and complete postmortal management, an algorithm was created. The long-term aim is the development of a central data register for statistical analysis, to identify goals of research and to organise conferences with interdisciplinary reports of diagnostic findings.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Geburtshilfe und Pränatale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hübner
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Geburtshilfe und Pränatale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn.
authors.forename: A-S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Gast
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Kinderpathologie und Pathologie, MVZ Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Neonatologie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bartmann
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Geburtshilfe und Pränatale Medizin, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gembruch
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000401:mortality*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015996:Survival Rate