Aims: Despite routine prenatal care, intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is unpredictable. With early diagnosis and prompt treatment of maternal and obstetric problems, IUFD may become less common. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of IUFD in pregnant patients in a tertiary care center.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary center from January 2020 to August 2024 and was approved by the Sancaktepe Şehit Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital Scientific Research Ethics Committee (Date: 08.11.2024, Decision No: 2024/318). Demographic characteristics of pregnant women, medical and obstetric complication rates, and histopathological findings of the placenta were recorded.Results: IUFD was diagnosed in 137 of 20,356 deliveries (0.67%). Of these, 104 cases were included in the study. The period with the highest stillbirth rate was 28-33 weeks (36.3%), 46.2% of pregnant women gave birth for the first time and 77.9% were between the ages of 20-24. The most common maternal problems were maternal anemia (n=39, 37.5%). The most common perinatal outcomes were preeclampsia/eclampsia (n=12, 11.5%) and the rate of pregnant women without any perinatal problems was 57.7% (n=60). The caesarean section rate was 37.5% (n=39). In addition, the most common placental histopathological examinations were placental infarction (n=26, 25%).Conclusion: A significant amount of IUFD can be prevented with routine prenatal care of patients and society, close monitoring of risk groups, and educating pregnant women.
GÜNKAYA et al. (Fri,) studied this question.