Korean J Perinatol.  2010 Sep;21(3):232-239.

A Study of Maternal and Perinatal Risk Factors on Intrauterine Fetal Death

• Song TB
• Kim YH
• Kim JW
• Cho HY
• Kim EK
• Cho AR
• Kim HJ
• Song ES
• Choi YY

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for intrauterine fetal death (IUFD).
METHODS
We carried out a case control retrospective study, at the Chonnam National University Hospital, Korea. We included all pregnant women diagnosed as singleton IUFD in pregnancies of 28 weeks of gestation or more, admitted to the hospital from Jan 2003 to Dec 2007. There were 53 cases of singleton IUFD and 3,298 cases of singleton live birth during that period. The incidence, age distribution, and prevalent gestational weeks were analysed. The risk factors were analyzed by using odds ratio, student's t test, and Chisquare test. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine independent risk factors.
RESULTS
The overall incidence of IUFD was 1.6%. The age distribution of mother with IUFD was highest in the age group of 20 year old or less (5.3%). IUFD was the most prevalent at 28-32 weeks of gestation (41.5%). Significant risk factors were maternal body weight just before delivery, weight gain during pregnancy, and abruptio placentae. The independent risk factors were weight gain during pregnancy (beta=0.002, P=0.000) and abruptio placentae (beta=-0.067, P=0.000).
CONCLUSION
Lower maternal body weight just before delivery, lower weight gain during pregnancy, and abruptio placentae are factors significantly associated with IUFD. Further investigations are needed to understand the complex etiology of stillbirth.

Keyword

Intrauterine fetal death; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Abruptio Placentae
Age Distribution
Body Weight
Case-Control Studies
Female
Fetal Death
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Live Birth
Logistic Models
Mothers
Odds Ratio
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Stillbirth
Weight Gain