Study of incidence and determinants of stillbirth among women in tertiary care centre

Abstract

Background: The loss of a baby due to stillbirth remains a sad reality for many families and takes a serious toll on families’ health and well-being. Every year, an estimated 2.6 million stillbirths occur worldwide, with up to 98% occurring in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to examine factors associated with stillbirths and to set the priorities and actions to reduce stillbirths. Materials and Methods: It is a hospital based Descriptive Study with Retrospective study design under Dept.of OBG in GMC, Bambolim during period of 1st October 2019 to 1st January 2020. Collection of data was carried using predesigned and pretested proforma. Results: In the study period Total of 213 stillbirths were recorded, among them 106 in 2018 and 107 in 2017. Majority of the stillbirths are associated with severe preeclampsia (58 mothers). After thorough analysing probable cause of every stillbirths we concluded that 28.6%(61)being unknown, known causes were 5.6%(12) MASF, 17.3%(37)abruption, 20.6%(44)prematurity and severe iugr, 5.2%%(11) anomalies, 10.7%(23)hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and others 12%(25). Conclusion: The incidence rate of stillbirths in our setting is high as being the only tertiary referal centre in Goa and the identified determinants were related to both ante-partum and intrapartum-period. Therefore, effort should be made to improve antenatal, obstetric services and delivery services in terms awareness, access, timing.