Abstract 4: Incidence and Determinants of Stillbirth at Tertiary Health Facility – A Retrospective Study

Abstract Background: Stillbirth, defined as fetal death at or beyond 28 weeks of gestation, remains a serious obstetric challenge with profound emotional impacts. Despite improvements in maternal healthcare, stillbirth rates remain high in low-and middle-income countries, including India. Aim: To determine the prevalence, causes, and associated factors of stillbirths over a one-year period in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital from July 2021to June 2023. Data were collected from hospital records, including delivery registers and patient files. Results: Out of 6,587 total deliveries, 109 were stillbirths, yielding a stillbirth rate of 16.5 per 1,000 births. Maternal: Most affected were aged 20–24 years (37.6%), multigravida (67%), and emergency admissions (66%). Many lacked adequate antenatal care. Fetal : 80.7% were preterm (<37 weeks), 44.9% weighed 1000– 1499g, and 59.6% were male. Mode of Delivery: 85.3% were vaginal deliveries, while 14.7% required surgical intervention. Identifiable Causes: Found in 80.8% of cases. Leading causes included: Hypertensive disorders (24.8%), Maternal anemia (22%),Abruption and IUGR (8.2% each. Other causes: oligohydramnios, placenta previa, congenital anomalies, infection, diabetes, hypothyroidism, DIC. Conclusion: Most stillbirths occurred in unregistered or poorly monitored pregnancies. Hypertension and anemia were leading causes. Improving antenatal care, timely identification of high-risk pregnancies, and promoting institutional deliveries could significantly reduce stillbirth rates. Additionally, emotional support and counseling should be provided to affected families.