Intrauterine and Neonatal Deaths

Forensic investigation of intrauterine and perinatal deaths can be challenging, given their relative infrequency and the possible involvement of maternal substance use, trauma, and socioeconomic factors. Intrauterine and perinatal deaths investigated by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Officer between 2013-2023 were reviewed. One hundred twenty-eight cases were identified (83 stillborn and 45 live births). The predominant indications for referral were concern for maternal substance use (57.8%) or trauma (35.2%). Gestational ages ranged from 11.5 to 42.5 weeks; 36.7% were <22 weeks, and only 10.2% were full term (>37 weeks). The maternal age range was 16-41 years, with most (65.2%) between 20-34 years. Not all case files included obstetric history or home address; of those which did, 53.0% received no prenatal care and 81.7% came from zip codes in the bottom quartile of household incomes. Causes of death included acute and/or chronic maternal substance use (28.9%), chorioamnionitis (21.9%), and abruption (19.5%). Manners of death (when applicable) included natural (53.3%), accident (26.7%), homicide (8.9%), and undetermined/unassigned (11.1%). Potentially confounding socioeconomic factors were identified in most cases. This demonstrates the importance of considering these factors and exercising caution when assigning specific causes and manners to intrauterine and perinatal deaths.