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PubMed1996

The clinical significance of ultransonographically detected subchorionic hemorrhages.

OBJECTIVES: The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in outcome when pregnancies with ultrasonographically documented subchorionic hemorrhages are compared with those without these hemorrhages. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a case-control study, utilizing our computerized ultrasonographic database. Cases were matched with two or three controls in two separate control groups. Matching criteria were maternal age, gestational age at scan, and invasive procedures (chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis). General exclusion criteria were absence of fetal heart motion and fetal anomalies. Presence of subchorionic hemorrhage was an exclusion criterion for both control groups; however, in addition, presence of vaginal bleeding was a further criterion for one of the two. Statistical analysis was performed with chi2 analysis and Yates' correction. Odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: There was no difference in maternal characteristics between the cases and controls. The incidence of subchorionic hemorrhage was 1.3%. There was an increased risk of miscarriage (odds ratio 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.7 to 7.4), stillbirth (4.5, 1.5 to 13.2), abruptio placentae (11.2, 2.7 to 46.4), and preterm labor (2.6, 1.5 to 4.6) when cases were compared with controls without subchorionic hemorrhage or bleeding. These risks were also increased in comparison with the control group with bleeding, except with respect to miscarriage. In this case the risks were similar in both cases and controls but increased with respect to the controls without bleeding. The mean birth weight was lower in the cases than in both control groups. CONCLUSION: The presence of an ultransonographically detected subchorionic hemorrhage increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, abruptio placentae, and preterm labor. The presence of bleeding alone appears to increase the risk of miscarriage. It is unclear whether the subchorionic hemorrhage is causative or whether it is simply a sign of an underlying process that produces these negative effects.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1996

Can asphyxiated infants at risk for neonatal seizures be rapidly identified by current high-risk markers?

OBJECTIVE: Markers currently used to identify infants at highest risk for perinatal hypoxic-ischemic cerebral injury are insensitive in predicting the subsequent occurrence of neonatal seizures and/or neurodevelopmental sequelae, ie, cerebral palsy. To facilitate therapeutic strategies, early identification of the infant at highest risk for developing seizures secondary to hypoxia ischemia or asphyxia is critical, particularly if novel but potentially toxic therapies currently under experimental investigation become available for clinical use. METHODS: Ninety-six inborn term infants considered at high risk for having neonatal seizures secondary to hypoxia ischemia or asphyxia and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit directly after labor and delivery were prospectively evaluated. Markers of high risk included the presence of moderate to thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), fetal heart rate (FHRT) abnormalities abruptio placentae, intubation and positive pressure ventilation in the delivery room (DR), chest compressions and epinephrine administration as part of resuscitation, a 5-minute Apgar score of 5 or less, umbilical cord arterial pH of 7.00 or less, and/or a base deficit of -14 mEq/L or more negative. RESULTS: Seizures developed in 5 (5.2%) of the 96 infants. High-risk markers included FHRT abnormalities only (n=36), FHRT abnormalities and MSAF (n=20), MSAF only (n=23), abruptio placentae (n=6), intubation in the DR (n=44), intubation in the neonatal intensive care unit (n=22), chest compressions (n=2), 5-minute Apgar scores of 5 or less (n=21), umbilical cord arterial pH of 7.00 or less (n=21), and base deficits of -14 mEq/L or more negative (n=19). By univariate analysis, significant relationships with seizures were found with Apgar scores, the need for intubation in the DR, umbilical cord arterial pH, and base deficit. Combinations of the identified risk markers showed a strong relationship with seizures with the following odds rations (ORs), 95% confidence limits, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values (PPVs): (1) low cord pH and intubation, OR, 163 (confidence limits, 7.9 and 3343.7); sensitivity, 100%; specificity 94%; and PPV, 50%; (2) low cord pH and low 5-minute Apgar score, OR, 39 (confidence limits, 3.9 and 392.5); sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 91%; and PPV, 33.3%; and (3) low pH, intubation, and low 5-minute Apgar score, OR, 340 (confidence limits, 17.8 and 6480.6); sensitivity, 80%; specificity, 98.8%; and PPV, 80%. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of high-risk postnatal markers, specifically, a low 5-minute Apgar score and intubation in the DR in association with severe fetal acidemia, facilitates the identification within the first hour of life of term infants at highest risk for developing seizures secondary to perinatal asphyxia.

Abruptio Placentae↗

PubMed2002

Perinatal outcome in women with recurrent preeclampsia compared with women who develop preeclampsia as nulliparas.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rates and perinatal outcome in women who experienced preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy to those in women who developed preeclampsia as nulliparas. STUDY DESIGN: This is a secondary analysis of data from 2 separate multi-center trials of aspirin for prevention of preeclampsia. Women who had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy (n = 598) were compared with nulliparous women (n = 2934). Outcome variables were rates of preeclampsia, preterm delivery at <37 and <35 weeks of gestation, small-for-gestational-age infant, abruptio placentae, and perinatal death. Data were compared by using chi-square analysis and Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: The rates of preeclampsia and of severe preeclampsia were significantly higher in the previous preeclamptic group as compared to the nulliparous group (17.9% vs 5.3%, P <.0001, and 7.5% vs. 2.4%, P <.0001, respectively). Women who had recurrent preeclampsia experienced more preterm deliveries before 37 and 35 weeks of gestation than nulliparous women who developed preeclampsia. In addition, among women who developed severe preeclampsia, those with recurrent preeclampsia had higher rates of preterm delivery both before 37 weeks (67% vs 33%, P =.0004) and before 35 weeks of gestation (36% vs 19%, P =.041), and higher rates of abruptio placentae (6.7% vs 1.5%) and fetal death (6.7% vs 1.4%) than did nulliparous women. CONCLUSION: Compared to nulliparous women, women with preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy had significantly higher rates of preeclampsia and adverse perinatal outcomes associated with preterm delivery as a result of preeclampsia.

Abruptio Placentae↗

PubMed2002

Methyldopa versus no drug treatment in the management of mild pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of methyldopa in the treatment of mild pre-eclampsia, to prevent its progress and to investigate its effect on the pregnancy outcomes. DESIGNS: Randomised clinical trial. SETTING: Wad Medani Hospital in the central Sudan. SUBJECTS: Seventy primigravidae with single, alive baby of 28-36 weeks gestational age suffering from true mild pre-eclampsia were enrolled. The patients were randomised in two groups, treatment group who received methyldopa 750-4000 mg/day (n=34) and a control group who received no treatment (n=36). All the (treatment and control) patients were drug followed as in-patients till the delivery, seen with their babies on the days 7, 42 after the delivery. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The outcomes examined were, rise of the diastolic blood pressure to 110 mm Hg or more, occurrence of imminent eclampsia or the eclampsia, if the maturity could be achieved, occurrence of intrauterine growth retardation, abruptio placentae, mode of delivery, birth weight, placental weight, perinatal death, Apgar score and referral of the babies to the pediatrician. RESULTS: Three out of 34 (8.8%) of the treatment group had a rise in the diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg, 18/36 (50%) of the control had a rise in the diastolic blood pressure of 110 mmHg (p < 0.05). Three out of thirty four (8.8%) of the treatment group developed imminent eclampsia, while 10/36 (27.8) of the control group developed imminent eclampsia (p < 0.05). The maturity was achieved in 82.3% and 88.8% of the treatment and the control, respectively (p > 0.05). There were ten (14.2%) perinatal deaths, four of them in the treatment group, while six in the control (p > 0.05). There was no difference regarding birth weight, occurrence of intrauterine growth retardation, placental weight, mode of delivery, Apgar score, referral of the babies to the paediatrician. No patient developed eclampsia or abruptio placenta; there was no maternal death in both groups. CONCLUSION: Methyldopa can prevent the progress of the mild pre-eclampsia to severe pre-eclampsia, without affecting the maturity, birthweight or the neonatal outcomes.

Abruptio Placentae↗

PubMed1992

The sonographically thick placenta: a predictor of increased perinatal morbidity and mortality.

In order to determine the prevalence and significance of sonographically thick placentas, we reviewed the computerized records of 18 827 viable, singleton pregnancies. Of these, 116 (0.6%) had thick placentas diagnosed by ultrasound examination. Perinatal mortality was markedly increased among pregnancies with thick placentas (odds ratio = 13.1, 95% confidence limits (CL) = 8.3-20.8), accounting for 6.2%; of the total. The rates of abruptio placentae (odds ratio = 2.9, CL = 1.1-8.1), neonatal intensive care unit admissions (odds ratio = 4.6, CL = 3.1-6.9) and anomalies (odds ratio = 8.4, CL = 4.9-14.4) were also significantly increased among the thick placenta cohort compared to controls. The 106 liveborn neonates with thick placentas had lower Apgar scores, were delivered at an earlier gestational age, and weighed less than controls. Anomalies, hydrops fetalis and abruptio placentae complicated 16 of the 24 cases of perinatal mortalities. Sonographically thick placentas should alert the clinician to the possibility of compromised perinatal outcome.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Genetic hypofibrinolysis in complicated pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the hypofibrinolytic 4G/4G mutation of the plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) gene as a possible factor contributing to severe preeclampsia, abruptio placentae, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth. METHODS: We compared 94 women from a previous report who had obstetric complications to 95 controls with normal pregnancies matched for ethnic background and age. We collected blood and extracted DNA after delivery. All subjects had been tested for thrombophilic mutations factor V Leiden, C677T mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene, and the G20210A mutation in the prothrombin gene. In the present study we tested for the hypofibrinolytic 4G/4G mutation in the PAI-1 gene. RESULTS: Women who had obstetric complications were more likely than controls to be 4G/4G homozygotes, 32% (30 of 94) women versus 19% (18 of 95) controls, odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.0 (1.02, 3.9). Mutations in the PAI-1 gene were independently associated with obstetric complications (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.005, 2.43). Heterozygosity for the factor V Leiden mutation was more common in the 30 women who had PAI-1 4G/4G than in the 18 4G/4G controls (33% versus 0%, Fisher P =.008). Seventy-six percent of women had some form of thrombophilia or hypofibrinolysis compared with 37% of controls (Fisher P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women with severe preeclampsia, abruptio placentae, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth had increased incidence of the hypofibrinolytic 4G/4G mutation of the PAI-1 gene that is frequently associated with the thrombophilic factor V Leiden mutation, further predisposing them to thrombosis.

Abruptio Placentae↗

PubMed2002

Factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations in pregnancies with adverse outcome.

BACKGROUND: Inherited thrombophilia has been associated with obstetric complications through mechanisms that are not yet fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between specific obstetric adverse outcomes and factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations. METHODS: Forty-five women with adverse pregnancy outcome defined as severe pre-eclampsia, abruptio placentae, intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth, were tested for factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations. The control group comprised 100 women with at least one normal pregnancy and no history of thrombosis. RESULTS: Overall, 13 women with one or more of the above-mentioned pregnancy complications (28%) had either thrombophilic mutation, as compared with six in the control group (6%) (p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 6.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-20). The factor V Leiden mutation was detected in ten of the women with complicated pregnancies (22%) and in four of the controls (4%) (p < 0.001, OR 6.6; 95% CI 1.7-27.2). The prothrombin G20210A mutation was detected in three women in the group with complications (6%) and in two of the controls (2%) (p = 0.17, OR 3.4; 95% CI 0.4-30.5). Compared to controls, the prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation was significantly higher in the subgroups of severe pre-eclampsia, abruptio placentae and fetal growth restriction. The prevalence of the prothrombin G20210A mutation does not appear to be significantly different from that in the controls in any of the groups studied. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that inherited thrombophilia, and specifically the factor V Leiden mutation, may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. The role of the prothrombin G20210A mutation remains to be elucidated.

Abruptio Placentae↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hereditary hypertension in Recklinghausen's disease during pregnancy. A family].

We report the case of a pregnant woman who presented with neurofibromatosis and hypertension the latter revealed by abruptio placentae. Severe hereditary hypertension was noted in the family during pregnancies that were sometimes complicated by intrauterine growth retardation, abruptio placentae and intrauterine foetal death. Thus, neurofibromatosis in a pregnant woman has a poor obstetrical outcome when it is associated with a personal or family history of hypertension. Such women must be treated with extreme care and hospitalized at the end of the third trimester. The advisability of prevention with low-dose aspirin during the first trimester is discussed.

Female↗

PubMed1984

An unusual case of uterine rupture. A case report.

An unusual case of uterine rupture in a primigravida, in which the left leg of the infant ruptured through the posterior fundal part of the uterus, is presented. No definitive predisposing cause could be found. Some of the clinical signs and symptoms resembled those of abruptio placentae. Recording of internal uterine pressure revealed increased basal tone and frequent small contractions, as are often seen with abruptio placentae. This could possibly have been due to prostaglandin release from the injured decidua.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

The nonstress test: the false negative test.

The nonstress test (NST) has been shown to be a reliable technique for the evaluation of fetal status. As a rule, a reactive NST, as opposed to a nonreactive NST, has been associated with a good pregnancy outcome. Nonetheless, fetal death has followed a reactive test. Because of the uncommon occurrence of a false negative NST, a retrospective investigation of the 2,226 patients who had undergone 4,500 NSTs was undertaken. Of these high-risk pregnancies, 1,564 women were delivered within 7 days of a reactive NST and there were four fetal deaths (0.026%). The presumed etiology for the four deaths was cord accident in three cases and abruptio placentae in one case. As with the false negative contraction stress test, the false negative NST appears to be associated with cord accidents, congenital anomalies, and abruptio placentae. Even though a reactive NST is associated with a low incidence of fetal death, close attention to the presence of fetal heart rate decelerations on the NST may be helpful in identifying those patients at risk for a cord accident and, theoretically, in reducing the incidence of fetal death. Even then, certain unavoidable situations can occur soon after a reactive NST, and, at present, no test of fetal well-being offers complete reassurance.

False Negative Reactions↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rupture of splenic artery aneurysm during labor: a case report of maternal and fetal survival.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of splenic artery aneurysm that ruptured during labor with both maternal and fetal survival. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 33-year-old primigravida at 42 weeks of gestation was admitted to Adan Hospital for induction of labor. Three days after induction, the patient suddenly collapsed and was found to be hypotensive. Abruptio placentae was mistakenly diagnosed, despite the absence of vaginal bleeding, and the patient was immediately taken to the operating room for emergency cesarean section. A female infant was delivered without any evidence of abruptio placentae but with 2,000 ml blood noted in the abdominal cavity. A vertical midline incision was performed and a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm was found. Proximal ligation of the splenic artery was performed followed by splenectomy. Both mother and newborn did well and were discharged on the 7th postoperative day. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the need to consider ruptured splenic artery aneurysm as part of differential diagnosis of hemoperitoneum in pregnant women. Immediate surgical intervention is needed to ensure survival of both mother and fetus.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Determining risk factors for intrapartum fetal death.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antenatal and intrapartum risk factors for intrapartum fetal death (IPFD). STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed 72,875 singleton deliveries > 500 g between the years 1990 and 1997. In order to find independent factors contributing to IPFD, a multiple logistic regression model was constructed. RESULTS: During the study period there were 64 cases of IPFD. Birth weight was inversely associated with IPFD in the multivariate analysis. Other significant factors in the multivariate analysis were mothers older than 35 years, polyhydramnios, congenital malformations, pathologic presentation, abruptio placentae and cord prolapse. No association was found with maternal diabetes or hypertension. CONCLUSION: IPFD was significantly associated with low birth weight, older maternal age, polyhydramnios, congenital malformations and pathologic presentation. Direct causes were abruptio placentae and cord prolapse. Pregnancies in older women and those complicated by polyhydramnios and pathologic presentation should be carefully evaluated during pregnancy and delivery in order to decrease the incidence of IPFD.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Massive pulmonary haemorrhage as a cause of death in the neonate--a retrospective review.

OBJECTIVES: To examine massive pulmonary haemorrhage as an independent factor and as a co-factor in neonatal mortality by analysing the associated factors, with the purpose of identifying predisposing characteristics. DESIGN: A retrospective study reviewing 32 neonates who died of pulmonary haemorrhage. Data were extracted from the 2001 King Edward VIII Hospital (KEH) neonatal death records. Relevant obstetric and neonatal variables were used in the data analysis. SETTING: KEH, a tertiary care institute, provides secondary and tertiary services and functions as a referral centre for surrounding clinics and hospitals. RESULTS: Pulmonary haemorrhage occurred in 32 of 260 neonatal fatalities (12.3%). All cases of pulmonary haemorrhage fell into the low-birth-weight category (< 2,500 g), and 26 of the infants (81.25%) died during the early neonatal period. A gestational age of 28-32 weeks was recorded in 27 cases (87%) and 19 (60%) showed adequate growth for gestational age. Three infants had pulmonary haemorrhage as a primary cause of death. In the remaining 29, pulmonary haemorrhage was secondary to a variety of causes. Obstetric information revealed that 29 mothers (93.5%) experienced obstetric complications, viz. pre-eclampsia/eclampsia syndrome 21 (64.5%), abruptio placentae 5 (16.1%) and previous pregnancy losses 9 (29%). Seven babies were ventilated and 2 were diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus. CONCLUSION: The study revealed more well-grown babies than expected. Complications of pregnancy hypertension, abruptio placentae and previous pregnancy losses were more frequently associated with pulmonary haemorrhage in these neonates. The majority of babies suffering pulmonary haemorrhage were not associated with intensive care management.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Impact of the number of antenatal consultations on the morbidity and mortality of children and women in the health district of Ziguinchor].

In order to assess the impact of the number of antenatal consultations (CPN) on the foetal and maternal morbidity and mortality, a prospective survey has been carried out in 1999, in the health district of Ziguinchor, Senegal. The investigation was led in seven health facilities which offered obstetrical cares, from January 1 to march 31, over a sample of 862 delivered women and 870 newborns. The number of antenatal consultations was zero in 26 cases (3%), one in 130 cases (15%), two in 198 cases (23%), three in 302 cases, and more than three in 206 cases (24%). Three elements of the mothers' profile have a statistically significant influence on the number of antenatal consultations: the delivery facilities, the ethnic groups, and the caesarean antecedent. For the other elements, the test is not significant. The number of antenatal consultations has a statistically significant link with: eclampsia, abruptio placentae, distich and maternal death. Some elements of the mothers' profile seem to be a cause of morbidity and mortality of children and women. In fact, we have notice: a statistically significant link between the health facilities and the dystocy; and between ethnic groups and abruptio placentae; an impossibility of drawing conclusion for the other cases. In short, the eclampsia and the maternal death are the only elements which seem to be improved by an increasing number of CPN without any influence of external factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Acute renal failure during eclampsia: incidence risks factors and outcome in intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence, risk factors and the outcome of acute renal failure (ARF) associated with eclampsia in intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Prospective and analytic study. SETTING: A surgical ICU in a university hospital. PATIENTS: 178 consecutive women with eclampsia admitted to an intensive care unit during seven years. ARF was defined by a serum creatinine concentration >140 micromol/L. RESULTS: The incidence of ARF was 25.8%. In univariate analysis the severity of patient illness, the complications associated with eclampsia (disseminated intravascular coagulation, Hellp syndrome, neurologic complications, abruptio placenta, aspiration pneumonia, delivery hemorrhage) were significantly associated with ARF. In a logistic regression model, risk factors for ARF included organ system failure (OSF) odds ratio (OR)=1.81 confidence interval (CI) [1.08-3.05], bilirubin >12 micromol/L OR=4.42 CI [1.54-12.68], uric acid >5.9 g/dL OR=16.5 CI [3.09-87.94], abruptio placenta OR=0.2 7 CI [0.08-0.99], and oliguria OR=0.10 CI [0.03-0.44]. In contrast, severity of blood pressure or proteinuria on dipstick were not associated with ARF. However, in this series, 15 women required dialysis in the short term and one required long-term dialysis. ARF associated with eclampsia was significantly associated with mortality (32.6% versus 9.1% p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: ARF with eclampsia is a frequent situation that required intensive management when risks factors were present. The need for dialysis was a rare condition.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

PubMed2000

[Maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with hellp syndrome] .

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to describe the effects of serious obstetric complications on maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancies complicated by Hellp syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. PATIENTS: Sixteen patients managed from January 1994 through December 1998 in whom pregnancy was complicated by Hellp Syndrome. RESULTS: The incidence of Hellp syndrome among women with severe preeclampsia and/or eclampsia (164 cases) was 9.7%. Fourteen cases occurred before and two after delivery. In nine cases, Hellp occurred before 32 weeks of gestation and later in two other cases. Mean gestational age at delivery was 32.4 weeks. Serious maternal morbidity included acute renal failure (five cases), disseminated intravascular coagulation (two cases), pulmonary oedema (one case), severe ascites (five cases), pleural effusion (three cases), adult respiratory distress syndrome (one case). Abruptio placenta, acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation were always associated. Ten patients required transfusions with blood products. Caesarean delivery was performed in 15 cases. General anaesthesia was used in all patients. There was one maternal death from multiple organ failure. Perinatal outcome was poor. Six perinatal deaths were related to abruptio placenta, intrauterine asphyxia and extreme prematurity. CONCLUSION: The high maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity reported with the presence of Hellp syndrome requires maternal-fetal follow-up in a tertiary centre where intensive maternal and neonatal care are available.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The Black-White disparity in pregnancy-related mortality from 5 conditions: differences in prevalence and case-fatality rates.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether differences in the prevalences of 5 specific pregnancy complications or differences in case fatality rates for those complications explained the disproportionate risk of pregnancy-related mortality for Black women compared with White women in the United States. METHODS: We used national data sets to calculate prevalence and case-fatality rates among Black and White women for preeclampsia, eclampsia, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, and postpartum hemorrhage for the years 1988 to 1999. RESULTS: Black women did not have significantly greater prevalence rates than White women. However, Black women with these conditions were 2 to 3 times more likely to die from them than were White women. CONCLUSIONS: Higher pregnancy-related mortality among Black women from preeclampsia, eclampsia, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, and postpartum hemorrhage is largely attributable to higher case-fatality rates. Reductions in case-fatality rates may be made by defining more precisely the mechanisms that affect complication severity and risk of death, including complex interactions of biology and health services, and then applying this knowledge in designing interventions that improve pregnancy-related outcomes.

Black or African American↗

PubMed1992

The changing pattern of fetal death, 1961-1988.

The aim of this study was to assess any changes in cause-specific fetal death rates in the nonreferred population of a tertiary care unit. The fetal death rate (per 1000 births) among 88,651 births diminished from 11.5 in the 1960s to 5.1 in the 1980s. Fetal death due to intrapartum asphyxia and Rh isoimmunization has almost disappeared. Toxemia and diabetes continue to make similar and small contributions to fetal death rates. There has been a significant decline in unexplained antepartum fetal deaths and in those caused by fetal growth retardation, but no significant change in the death rate due to intrauterine infection or abruptio placentae. During the 1960s, the risk of fetal death was increased in women with hypertension, diabetes, or a history of stillbirth; during the 1980s, only women with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes were at risk. Improved application of current knowledge may help decrease the fetal death rate caused by fetal growth retardation. Reduction in deaths due to abruptio placentae, intrauterine infections, or lethal malformations, as well as unexplained antepartum deaths, appears to depend on better understanding of the etiology of these disorders.

Cause of Death↗