Frequency of Maternal Risk Factors Leading to Antepartum Intrauterine Fetal Death in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To determine maternal risk factors leading to antepartum intrauterine fetal death in a tertiary care hospital, Karachi

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Civil Hospital, DUHS, Karachi from April 2011 to April 2015.

Materials and Methods: All pregnant women over 24 weeks gestation and a diagnosis of singleton intrauterine fetal death confirmed by ultrasound scan were included in our study. The exclusion criteria were multiple pregnancy, intrapartum fetal death during labour, a malformed fetus diagnosed on ultrasound scan, a history of maternal trauma or fall, or any pre-existing maternal disease such as asthma, tuberculosis or thyroid disturbance. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and116 female patients were enrolled in the study.Full ethical approval was obtained. Patient demographics such as age, weight and blood pressure were recorded. Blood samples weresent for laboratory assessment. The presence of maternal risk factors such as advanced maternal age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity was observed.

Results: Our study enrolled 116 females and mean age was 30.14+ 4.98 years .The main maternal risk factors identified in our study were hypertension 44 (37.9%), diabetes 34 (29.3%) antepartum hemorrhage 17 (14.7%) and others 21(18.1%).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that hypertension, diabetes and antepartum hemorrhage are the main risk factors for antepartum intrauterine fetal death. This is unsurprising given the low socioeconomic patient demographic. However, further multi-center observational studies should be conducted with a larger sample size.