Study of Socio Demographic Factors in Women with Stillbirth

Abstract

Background: To develop preventive strategies, it is crucial to understand the etiology, risk factors, and associated factors leading to stillbirth. The aim of this study was to study the demographic profile of women experiencing stillbirth, to understand the risk factors for stillbirth in low resource settings, and to find the etiology of stillbirth so as to facilitate designing of a stillbirth prevention strategy. Material and Methods: Present study was hospital based, prospective, observational, descriptive study, conducted pregnant women with diagnosed stillbirth (birth weight weighing >500 gm and after 20 weeks of complete gestation) before delivery. Results: In present study, stillbirth rate of 3.99%. We studied 101 cases of stillbirth. Majority pregnant women were from 25-29 years age group (43.56 %) & from 19-24 years age group (32.26 %), were unbooked (60.40 %), were from rural background (58.42 %) & from Lower middle class (56.43 %). In present study, among 101 patients, majority were from para 2 to para 4 group (50.49 %), from 37-40 weeks gestational age (30.69 %) & delivered vaginally (88 %). Previous still birth was noted in 12 cases, among them 2 had history of ≥2 previous still births. Common fetal birth weight group in present study was 2501-3500 grams (26.01 %) & 501-1000 grams (23.76 %). Common maternal risk factors noted were hypertension (24.75 %), maternal obesity (14.85 %), diabetes (9.90 %), & smoking (1.98 %). While fetal growth restriction (11.88 %) & congenital abnormalities (8.91 %) were common fetal high risk factors noted. Conclusion: In still birth cases, majority pregnant women were from 25-29 years age group, were unbooked (60.40 %), were from rural background (58.42 %) & from Lower middle class (56.43 %). Maternal risk factors were identified in 50.4% of cases.