Document Detail


Unexplained fetal death: are women with a history of fetal loss at higher risk?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19432602     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
AIMS: To identify factors, including the loss of a previous pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, which are associated with increased risk of singleton antepartum unexplained fetal death (UFD) in Western Australia (WA) using information recorded in routine data collections. METHODS: All fetal deaths in WA from 1990 to 1999 that underwent thorough post-mortem investigations were classified using the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand Perinatal Death Classification System. All UFDs were selected as cases and unmatched controls were randomly drawn from all live births in WA occurring during the study period. Demographic and clinical information on cases and controls was obtained from the WA Midwives' Notification System. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out to determine the independent effect of risk factors and calculate odds ratios. RESULTS: Almost one quarter (22%) of stillbirths were unexplained. Primigravid and primiparous women with a history of pregnancy loss before 20 weeks were at higher risk of UFD than multiparous women who had not experienced any loss. Women with a history of fetal death (after 20 weeks) had the highest risk of UFD. CONCLUSION: The current practice of closely monitoring pregnant women with a history of fetal loss or death should continue as this study suggests they may have a higher risk of poor obstetric outcome. Larger studies are needed to confirm the association between previous pregnancy loss and UFD.
Authors:
Mary-Anne Measey; Edouard Tursan d'Espaignet; Adrian Charles; Catherine Douglass
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology     Volume:  49     ISSN:  1479-828X     ISO Abbreviation:  Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol     Publication Date:  2009 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-05-12     Completed Date:  2009-08-03     Revised Date:  2009-11-11    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0001027     Medline TA:  Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol     Country:  Australia    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  151-7     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. maryannem@ichr.uwa.edu.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Abortion, Spontaneous*
Adult
Case-Control Studies
Female
Fetal Death*
Gravidity
Humans
Odds Ratio
Pregnancy
Risk Factors
Stillbirth*
Young Adult

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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