Comparison of the aetiology of stillbirth over five decades in a single centre: a retrospective study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To compare the rates and aetiologies of stillbirth over the past 50 years.

Study design

We reviewed all autopsy reports for stillbirths occurring between 1989 and 2009 at the McGill University Health Centre to determine the pathological aetiology of stillbirths. We also reviewed maternal characteristics. We compared our results with a previous study published in 1992 on aetiologies of stillbirth from 1961 to 1988 at the same institution.

Results

From among the 79 410 births between 1989 and 2009, 217 stillbirths were included in our study. The mean maternal age was 31.05 (±5.8) years. In 28.1% of cases, there was a history of subfertility. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 32.69 (±5.58) weeks, with a birthweight of 1888 (±1084) g. The main causes of

SUBMITTER: Wou K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4054626 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature