Clinical Study for Intrauterine Fetal Death

Lee, Yoon Young; Lee, GuiSeRa; Kwon, In; Kim, Sa Jin; Shin, Jong Chul; Rha, Jong Gu; Kim, Soo Pyung

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate intrauterine fetal death and to elucidate the etiology of intrauterine fetal death.
METHODS
This is a clinical study of 153 cases of fetal death in utero (FDIU) among 11,866 deliveries at Holy Family Hospital during Mar. 1995 to Feb. 2002.
RESULTS
1. The average incidence of FDIU was 1.29%. 2. The age distribution of mother with FDIU was between 16 to 45 year old and was highest in the 25 to 29 year old age group (45%). 3. The parity of mothers with FDIU was the highest in nulliparous group (58.5%) and there was a decreased tendency with high parity. 4. There were 80 cases (52.1%) with previous history of abortion and 8 cases (5.2%) with previous history of FDIU. 5. The highest incidence rate of FDIU was shown at 20~24 weeks of gestation (36.6%) and in the fetus weighted less than 1,000 gm (56%), and the sex ratio of male versus female fetus was 1.29:1. 6. The mode of delivery FDIU was labor induction (54.3%), laparotomy (15.2%), spontaneous labor (30.4%). The indication for laparotomy were placental abruption, previous cesarean section state, twin and maternal death. As the gestational age and fetal weight decreased, the mean time interval from start of labor induction to fetal expulsion and the variety of labor induction became increase. 7. The etiology factors of FDIU was unexplained causes (44%), congenital anomaly (17%), cord complication (14%) in order.
CONCLUSION
The proper antenatal care should be taken of fetuses on the basis of risk factors of antepartum and intrapartum so that unnecessary intrauterine fetal death might be able to be prevented.