Objective: To identify common risk factors for unexplained intrauterine fetal death and improve general outcomes of pregnancy.
Methodology: This prospective cohort study was conducted at Gyane Unit-I SZWH, SMBBMU, Larkana from April 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018. All women were delivered at hospital. Detailed history regarding risk factors prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and past obstetrical history was inquired. Maternal age, smoking, obesity, parity, PROM, placental abruption, associated medical conditions (Hypertension, Diabetes) were included and multiple pregnancy and congenital abnormalities were excluded.
Results: There were a total of 5560 births, out of which 248 were intrauterine fetal demise during the study period. The overall incidence was 4.46% (248/5560). Among all those women, risk factors associated with pregnancy were 34.27% with unknown risk factors, 13.30% with post maturity, 11.29% with abruption placenta, 8.87% with obesity, 7.25% with advance maternal age, 5.64% with hypertension, 4.83% with diabetes mellitus, 4.83%, PPROM, 4.83% with multiparty and 4.83% with smoking.
Conclusion: Proper antenatal checkup and certain baseline, specific investigation are needed for the identification of risk factors of unexplained fetal demise. Improvement in the standard of living, awareness, education, protocol strategies and easy access to the health facility might prove to be helpful in decreasing the unexplained fetal death.
Key words: Unexplained intrauterine death, post maturity, Abruptio placenta.
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