Śmierć płodu – Etiologia i przyczyny

Śmierć płodu
Etiologia i przyczyny

Śmierć płodu, definiowana jako zgon po 20. lub 24. tygodniu ciąży, pozostaje istotnym wyzwaniem klinicznym, z częstością występowania w Polsce około 1 na 160-250 ciąż. Najczęstszą przyczyną są patologie łożyska (25-32,5%), w tym niedostateczne ukrwienie, abruptio placentae (5-10%), zaburzenia dojrzewania i niewydolność łożyska, z dominującym typem MVM (Maternal Vascular Malperfusion). Nieprawidłowości genetyczne i strukturalne płodu odpowiadają za 10-20% przypadków, z aberracjami chromosomowymi w 6-13%, w tym trisomiami i zespołami wad wrodzonych. Infekcje, zwłaszcza bakteryjne i wirusowe, stanowią 10-25% przyczyn w krajach rozwiniętych, a nawet do 50% w krajach rozwijających się. Problemy z pępowiną (10-15%) oraz komplikacje położnicze, takie jak przedwczesny poród, ciąża mnoga czy niewydolność szyjki macicy, również znacząco przyczyniają się do zgonów wewnątrzmacicznych. Schorzenia matki, w tym nadciśnienie (3-krotnie zwiększone ryzyko), cukrzyca (5-krotnie), otyłość (BMI >30), choroby autoimmunologiczne i zaburzenia krzepnięcia, podnoszą ryzyko śmierci płodu, podobnie jak czynniki demograficzne i społeczne (wiek matki <20 i >35 lat, rasa, status socjoekonomiczny).

Etiologia Śmierci Płodu

Patologia łożyska jako główna przyczyna śmierci płodu
Wady wrodzone i zaburzenia genetyczne
Zakażenia wewnątrzmaciczne
Nieprawidłowości sznura pępowinowego
Powikłania ciąży i porodu
Choroby współistniejące u matki

Czynniki Ryzyka Śmierci Płodu

Czynniki demograficzne i socjoekonomiczne
Czynniki związane z przebiegiem ciąży
Czynniki związane ze stylem życia
Czynniki związane z płodem

Zapobieganie Śmierci Płodu
Wnioski i Kierunki Przyszłych Badań

Kolejne rozdziały

Etiologia Śmierci Płodu

Śmierć płodu (stillbirth) to zjawisko, które pomimo postępów w opiece położniczej, nadal stanowi istotny problem w praktyce klinicznej. Definiuje się ją jako zgon płodu po 20. lub 24. tygodniu ciąży (w zależności od przyjętych kryteriów w danym kraju), przed lub podczas porodu. W Polsce stosuje się termin „zgon wewnątrzmaciczny płodu”, a zjawisko to występuje z częstością około 1 na 160-250 ciąż.¹²³

Mimo postępu wiedzy medycznej i technologii diagnostycznych, w dużej części przypadków śmierci płodu przyczyna pozostaje niewyjaśniona. W zależności od badań, niewyjaśnione przyczyny stanowią od 25% do nawet 60% wszystkich przypadków, co czyni to jednym z najtrudniejszych wyzwań w perinatologii.⁴⁵⁶

Patologia łożyska jako główna przyczyna śmierci płodu

Badania wskazują, że problemy związane z łożyskiem stanowią najczęstszą identyfikowalną przyczynę śmierci płodu, odpowiadając za około 25-32,5% przypadków. Nieprawidłowości łożyska mogą prowadzić do niewystarczającego dopływu krwi do płodu, co skutkuje ograniczeniem wzrastania płodu (FGR – Fetal Growth Restriction) oraz niedotlenieniem.⁷⁸

Do głównych patologii łożyskowych powodujących śmierć płodu należą:

Niedostateczne ukrwienie łożyska – zaburzenia przepływu krwi prowadzące do niedotlenienia płodu⁹
Przedwczesne oddzielenie łożyska (abruptio placentae) – występujące u 5-10% przypadków śmierci płodu, powoduje nagłe odcięcie dopływu tlenu i składników odżywczych¹⁰¹¹
Zaburzenia w dojrzewaniu łożyska – nieprawidłowe ukształtowanie naczyń krwionośnych czy mikrozawały w łożysku¹²
Niewydolność łożyska – stopniowo pogarszająca się funkcja tego narządu¹³

Badania prowadzone przez International Fetal Genomics Consortium wykazały, że zaburzenia naczyniowe łożyska typu MVM (Maternal Vascular Malperfusion) stanowią najczęstszy typ patologii łożyskowej prowadzącej do śmierci płodu.¹⁴

Wady wrodzone i zaburzenia genetyczne

Nieprawidłowości genetyczne i strukturalne płodu stanowią istotną przyczynę śmierci wewnątrzmacicznej, odpowiadając za około 10-20% wszystkich przypadków. Badania chromosomalne wykazują nieprawidłowy kariotyp w 6-13% przypadków śmierci płodu.¹⁵¹⁶

Wśród głównych zaburzeń genetycznych prowadzących do śmierci płodu wymienia się:

Aberracje chromosomowe – w tym trisomie (zespół Downa, zespół Edwardsa, zespół Patau), zespół Turnera¹⁷
Wady strukturalne – szczególnie wady serca i mózgu¹⁸
Zespoły wad wrodzonych – zwłaszcza te dotyczące wielu układów organizmu¹⁹

Częstość wad wrodzonych jako przyczyny śmierci płodu jest znacząco wyższa w przypadku płodów z nieprawidłowym wzrastaniem wewnątrzmacicznym. Odsetek zaburzeń chromosomowych w przypadku płodów z widocznymi nieprawidłowościami anatomicznymi może przekraczać 20%.²⁰

Zakażenia wewnątrzmaciczne

Infekcje stanowią istotną przyczynę śmierci płodu, szczególnie w krajach rozwijających się, gdzie mogą odpowiadać za nawet 50% przypadków (w krajach rozwiniętych około 10-25%). Zakażenia mogą dotykać matki, łożyska lub bezpośrednio płodu.²¹²²

Do najczęstszych patogenów związanych ze śmiercią płodu należą:

Bakterie: Escherichia coli, paciorkowce grupy B, enterokoki, Listeria monocytogenes, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma²³²⁴
Wirusy: cytomegalowirus (CMV), parvowirus B19, wirus opryszczki, wirus Coxsackie B²⁵
Pierwotniaki: Toxoplasma gondii (toksoplazmoza), malarię²⁶
Inne: kiła, borelioza, gorączka Q, leptospiroza²⁷

Zakażenia prowadzące do śmierci płodu występują częściej we wczesnym okresie ciąży, szczególnie przed 24. tygodniem. Badania wykazują, że infekcje jako przyczyna śmierci płodu są częstsze u kobiet rasy czarnej i mogą być niedostatecznie diagnozowane ze względu na brak widocznych objawów u matki.²⁸²⁹

Nieprawidłowości sznura pępowinowego

Problemy związane z pępowiną są przyczyną około 10-15% wszystkich przypadków śmierci płodu. Nieprawidłowości te najczęściej prowadzą do zgonu w okresie okołoporodowym lub w późnej ciąży.³⁰³¹

Główne zaburzenia związane z pępowiną to:

Zapętlenie pępowiny – owinięcie wokół części ciała płodu, najczęściej szyi³²
Prawdziwy węzeł pępowiny – powodujący zaburzenia przepływu krwi³³
Wypadnięcie pępowiny – przemieszczenie pępowiny przed częścią przodującą płodu³⁴
Nieprawidłowe przyczepy pępowiny – w tym przyczepu błonowego lub przyczepu brzeżnego³⁵

Warto zauważyć, że niektóre nieprawidłowości pępowiny, takie jak owinięcie wokół szyi, występują stosunkowo często (do 30% prawidłowych porodów), dlatego samo stwierdzenie takiej anomalii bez dowodów na zaburzenia przepływu krwi nie powinno być traktowane jako jednoznaczna przyczyna śmierci płodu.³⁶³⁷

Powikłania ciąży i porodu

Komplikacje związane z przebiegiem ciąży i porodu stanowią znaczący odsetek przyczyn śmierci płodu, szczególnie przed 24. tygodniem ciąży. W niektórych badaniach wskazuje się, że są one przyczyną około jednej trzeciej wszystkich przypadków.³⁸³⁹

Do głównych powikłań położniczych zwiększających ryzyko śmierci płodu należą:

Przedwczesny poród – szczególnie przed osiągnięciem zdolności płodu do przeżycia poza macicą⁴⁰
Ciąża mnoga – zwłaszcza jednokosmówkowa, ze zwiększonym ryzykiem około 2,5 razy w porównaniu do ciąży pojedynczej⁴¹
Niewydolność szyjki macicy – prowadząca do przedwczesnego porodu⁴²
Krwotoki przedporodowe – zagrażające życiu matki i płodu⁴³
Przedłużona ciąża – trwająca powyżej 42 tygodni⁴⁴

Badania wykazują, że około 40% wszystkich przypadków śmierci płodu następuje podczas porodu. Jest to istotna informacja, ponieważ te przypadki są często możliwe do zapobieżenia poprzez odpowiednią opiekę śródporodową i monitorowanie stanu płodu.⁴⁵

Choroby współistniejące u matki

Stan zdrowia matki i choroby przewlekłe znacząco wpływają na ryzyko śmierci płodu. Szacuje się, że schorzenia matki są bezpośrednią przyczyną mniej niż 10% wszystkich przypadków śmierci płodu, jednak znacząco zwiększają ryzyko wystąpienia innych powikłań prowadzących do zgonu wewnątrzmacicznego.⁴⁶

Główne schorzenia matki zwiększające ryzyko śmierci płodu to:

Nadciśnienie tętnicze – zarówno przewlekłe (zwiększające ryzyko 3-krotnie), jak i wywołane ciążą, w tym stan przedrzucawkowy⁴⁷⁴⁸
Cukrzyca – zwiększająca ryzyko nawet 5-krotnie, zwłaszcza przy złej kontroli glikemii⁴⁹
Otyłość – BMI powyżej 30 stanowi niezależny czynnik ryzyka⁵⁰
Choroby autoimmunologiczne – szczególnie toczeń rumieniowaty układowy⁵¹
Zaburzenia krzepnięcia – w tym zespół antyfosfolipidowy (APS)⁵²
Cholestaza wewnątrzwątrobowa ciężarnych (ICP) – dotykająca 0,1-2% ciężarnych⁵³⁵⁴

Badania wskazują, że właściwe leczenie chorób matki, szczególnie cukrzycy i nadciśnienia, może znacząco zmniejszyć ryzyko śmierci płodu. Szczególną rolę odgrywa wczesna diagnostyka i odpowiednie monitorowanie stanu płodu u kobiet z grupy ryzyka.⁵⁵

Czynniki Ryzyka Śmierci Płodu

Czynniki demograficzne i socjoekonomiczne

Badania epidemiologiczne wskazują na istotne różnice w częstości występowania śmierci płodu w zależności od czynników demograficznych i społeczno-ekonomicznych:⁵⁶

Wiek matki – kobiety poniżej 20. oraz powyżej 35. roku życia mają podwyższone ryzyko śmierci płodu⁵⁷
Rasa i pochodzenie etniczne – w USA kobiety rasy czarnej mają wyższy wskaźnik śmierci płodu (11 na 1000 urodzeń) w porównaniu do innych grup rasowych⁵⁸
Status socjoekonomiczny – niższy status wiąże się z wyższym ryzykiem śmierci płodu⁵⁹
Stan cywilny – kobiety niezamężne mają wyższe ryzyko śmierci płodu⁶⁰

Globalnie, częstość występowania śmierci płodu jest znacząco wyższa w krajach rozwijających się (do 22 na 1000 urodzeń) w porównaniu do krajów rozwiniętych.⁶¹

Czynniki związane z przebiegiem ciąży

Szczególne okoliczności związane z przebiegiem obecnej lub poprzednich ciąż mogą znacząco zwiększać ryzyko śmierci płodu:⁶²⁶³

Przebyta śmierć płodu – zwiększa ryzyko ponownego wystąpienia z 0,4% do 2,5%⁶⁴
Niepowodzenia położnicze w wywiadzie – w tym poronienia i porody przedwczesne⁶⁵
Pierwsza ciąża (nullipara) – zwiększone ryzyko u kobiet rodzących po raz pierwszy⁶⁶
Ciąża po technikach wspomaganego rozrodu – wykazuje 2-3 krotnie wyższe ryzyko śmierci płodu⁶⁷
Nieprawidłowe parametry płynu owodniowego – zarówno małowodzie jak i wielowodzie zwiększają ryzyko⁶⁸

Badania wykazują również genetyczne uwarunkowania zwiększonego ryzyka śmierci płodu, w tym dziedziczenie predyspozycji do tej komplikacji, szczególnie poprzez męską linię rodziny.⁶⁹

Czynniki związane ze stylem życia

Modyfikowalne czynniki związane ze stylem życia matki mogą znacząco wpływać na ryzyko śmierci płodu:⁷⁰

Palenie tytoniu – zwiększa ryzyko śmierci płodu do 15 na 1000 urodzeń⁷¹
Spożywanie alkoholu – istotny czynnik ryzyka, szczególnie przy regularnym spożyciu⁷²
Zażywanie narkotyków – zwłaszcza kokainy, zwiększa ryzyko przedwczesnego oddzielenia łożyska⁷³
Pozycja podczas snu – spanie na plecach po 28. tygodniu ciąży może być czynnikiem ryzyka⁷⁴⁷⁵
Niedożywienie – niedobory składników odżywczych mogą wpływać na rozwój płodu⁷⁶

Badania wskazują, że edukacja kobiet ciężarnych w zakresie modyfikowalnych czynników ryzyka może przyczynić się do zmniejszenia częstości występowania śmierci płodu.⁷⁷

Czynniki związane z płodem

Cechy związane z płodem, które zwiększają ryzyko śmierci wewnątrzmacicznej:⁷⁸

Ograniczenie wzrastania płodu (FGR) – zwiększa ryzyko śmierci płodu nawet 7-krotnie⁷⁹
Płeć męska – stanowi niezależny czynnik ryzyka śmierci płodu⁸⁰
Alloimmunizacja płytkowa – powodująca małopłytkowość płodu⁸¹
Konflikt serologiczny (choroba hemolityczna płodu) – w przypadku niezgodności czynnika Rh⁸²
Obrzęk uogólniony płodu (nieimmunologiczny) – prowadzący do niewydolności krążenia⁸³

Badania wskazują, że ograniczenie wzrastania płodu jest szczególnie istotnym czynnikiem ryzyka, zwłaszcza gdy nie zostanie rozpoznane przed porodem. Płody z nierozpoznanym ograniczeniem wzrastania mają znacząco wyższe ryzyko śmierci wewnątrzmacicznej.⁸⁴

Zapobieganie Śmierci Płodu

Badania wskazują, że znacząca część przypadków śmierci płodu może być potencjalnie możliwa do zapobieżenia. Według różnych źródeł, od 25% do nawet 50% (w przypadku ciąż donoszonych) zgonów wewnątrzmacicznych można by uniknąć przy odpowiedniej opiece medycznej.⁸⁵⁸⁶

Kluczowe strategie zapobiegania śmierci płodu obejmują:

Odpowiednia opieka przedporodowa – regularne wizyty kontrolne i badania przesiewowe⁸⁷
Monitorowanie ruchów płodu – edukacja matek w zakresie obserwacji aktywności płodu⁸⁸
Identyfikacja ciąż wysokiego ryzyka – szczególny nadzór nad ciężarnymi z grupy ryzyka⁸⁹
Diagnostyka dobrostanu płodu – testy niestresowe (NST), profile biofizyczne (BPP)⁹⁰
Optymalizacja czasu porodu – szczególnie u ciężarnych z czynnikami ryzyka⁹¹
Leczenie chorób matki – właściwa kontrola cukrzycy, nadciśnienia i innych schorzeń⁹²
Eliminacja modyfikowalnych czynników ryzyka – zaprzestanie palenia, spożywania alkoholu⁹³

Szczególne znaczenie ma odpowiednia diagnostyka po każdym przypadku śmierci płodu, w tym badanie anatomopatologiczne płodu i łożyska oraz badania genetyczne. Pozwala to na identyfikację przyczyny i potencjalne zmniejszenie ryzyka w kolejnych ciążach.⁹⁴⁹⁵

Na poziomie systemowym, strategie zapobiegania śmierci płodu obejmują poprawę dostępu do opieki położniczej, edukację kobiet ciężarnych oraz wdrażanie standardów postępowania opartych na dowodach naukowych. Kraje, które systemowo wdrożyły takie strategie, jak Holandia, zdołały zmniejszyć częstość występowania śmierci płodu o ponad połowę w ciągu ostatnich dwóch dekad.⁹⁶

Wnioski i Kierunki Przyszłych Badań

Pomimo znaczących postępów w zrozumieniu przyczyn śmierci płodu, nadal pozostaje wiele niewiadomych w tym obszarze. Wysoki odsetek przypadków o niewyjaśnionej etiologii wskazuje na potrzebę dalszych badań i rozwoju metod diagnostycznych.⁹⁷

Obiecujące kierunki badań obejmują:

Zaawansowane metody obrazowania łożyska – w celu wcześniejszego wykrywania nieprawidłowości⁹⁸
Badania genetyczne – sekwencjonowanie genomu w przypadkach niewyjaśnionej śmierci płodu⁹⁹
Biomarkery ryzyka – identyfikacja markerów biochemicznych podwyższonego ryzyka¹⁰⁰
Ujednolicone protokoły badania pośmiertnego – standardyzacja procedur diagnostycznych¹⁰¹
Interwencje w grupach wysokiego ryzyka – opracowanie skutecznych strategii prewencyjnych¹⁰²

Niezbędne jest również prowadzenie dalszych badań nad społecznymi, ekonomicznymi i rasowymi nierównościami w dostępie do opieki położniczej, które wpływają na zróżnicowanie częstości występowania śmierci płodu w różnych populacjach.¹⁰³

Holistyczne podejście, łączące badania kliniczne, genetyczne, patologiczne oraz czynniki społeczno-ekonomiczne, może w przyszłości przyczynić się do istotnego zmniejszenia częstości występowania śmierci płodu i związanego z nią cierpienia rodzin.¹⁰⁴

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Materiały źródłowe

#1 Stillbirth: How Common, Causes, Symptoms & Support
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9685-stillbirth
A stillbirth happens when the fetus dies after week 20 of pregnancy. Stillbirths can have multiple causes, including problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, genetic conditions that affect the fetus or pregnancy complications. […] In 1 in 3 stillbirths, healthcare providers dont know why the fetus passed. Causes can be complex. Issues primarily affecting the mother, the fetus or the tissues and organs connecting them can all lead to stillbirth. […] Infections from a virus, parasite, bacteria or another pathogen (germ) cause up to 50% of stillbirths in developing countries. They cause up to 25% of stillbirths in developed countries. […] A problem with these lifelines can prevent the fetus from receiving the oxygen, blood and nutrients needed to thrive. […] Sometimes, theres an issue with how the fetus develops, or a congenital disability (birth defect). The fetus may have a genetic condition.
#2 When your baby is stillborn Information | Mount Sinai – New York
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/when-your-baby-is-stillborn
About 1 in 160 pregnancies end in stillbirth. Stillbirth is less common than in the past because of better pregnancy care. Up to one half of the time, the reason for the stillbirth is never known. Some factors that can cause stillbirth are: Birth defects, Abnormal chromosomes in the baby, Infection in the mother or fetus, Injuries, Long-term (chronic) health conditions in the mother (such as diabetes, epilepsy, or high blood pressure), Problems with the placenta that prevent the fetus from getting nourishment (such as placental detachment), Sudden severe blood loss (hemorrhage) in the mother or fetus, Heart stoppage (cardiac arrest) in the mother or fetus, Umbilical cord problems […] Most women who have had a stillbirth are very likely to have a healthy pregnancy in the future. Placenta and cord problems or chromosome variants in the baby are unlikely to occur again.
#3
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/
A stillbirth is when a baby is born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. It happens in around 1 in every 250 births in England. […] Some stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta, a birth defect or with the mother’s health. For others, no cause is found. […] Not all stillbirths can be prevented, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, such as avoiding drugs and alcohol during pregnancy these can seriously affect your baby’s development, and increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
#4 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Stillbirth has many causes: intrapartum complications, hypertension, diabetes, infection, congenital and genetic abnormalities, placental dysfunction, and pregnancy continuing beyond forty weeks. […] Global data on causes of stillbirth are limited due to the difficulty in assigning causation. Unexplained stillbirth is the most commonly reported cause, reported in 76% of cases worldwide. […] Half of the world’s stillbirths are linked to intrapartum complications; most of these deaths could likely be averted with increased access to skilled healthcare. […] The risk of stillbirth is higher in women with a prior unexplained stillbirth. […] The main causes of stillbirth in the US were obstetrical, including abruption and multifetal gestation complications, and spontaneous labor or rupture of membranes before viability.
#5 What Causes Stillbirth? Placenta Problems, Infection & MoreCloseleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowCloseReconfirm cookies choice
https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/stillbirth-information-and-support/causes-stillbirth
Itâs sadly not always possible to find a reason why a baby was stillborn. This can be particularly hard to hear when youâre grieving your baby and want to understand what happened and why your baby died. Itâs important to remember that stillbirth is very unlikely to be caused by anything youâve done or not done. […] A report of all UK stillbirths in 2018 showed around 35.5% of stillbirths were unexplained. Although this proportion of stillbirths remain unexplained, we do know some possible causes. We have explained the most common causes here. […] Many stillbirths (32.5%) are linked to complications with the placenta. […] If the placenta doesnât work properly, the baby doesnât receive enough nutrients or oxygen and fails to grow or develop. This is called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or fetal growth restriction (FGR).
#6 Azthena logo with the word Azthena
https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Causes-Stillbirth.aspx
In around 50% of cases, stillbirth is linked to problems with the placenta, the organ that connects the babys blood supply to the mothers blood supply so that the baby is nourished throughout the pregnancy. Experts believe that some unexplained stillbirths are caused by a poorly functioning placenta. […] In around one in ten cases of stillbirth, the baby has a birth defect that contributed to the death. […] Around 10% of stillbirths are caused by infection, usually by bacteria that has infected the womb. […] A small proportion of stillbirths are caused by problems with the mothers health such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes. […] Unfortunately, in around one third of cases, the cause of stillbirth cannot be determined, despite best efforts to establish one.
#7 What Causes Stillbirth? Placenta Problems, Infection & MoreCloseleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowCloseReconfirm cookies choice
https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/stillbirth-information-and-support/causes-stillbirth
Itâs sadly not always possible to find a reason why a baby was stillborn. This can be particularly hard to hear when youâre grieving your baby and want to understand what happened and why your baby died. Itâs important to remember that stillbirth is very unlikely to be caused by anything youâve done or not done. […] A report of all UK stillbirths in 2018 showed around 35.5% of stillbirths were unexplained. Although this proportion of stillbirths remain unexplained, we do know some possible causes. We have explained the most common causes here. […] Many stillbirths (32.5%) are linked to complications with the placenta. […] If the placenta doesnât work properly, the baby doesnât receive enough nutrients or oxygen and fails to grow or develop. This is called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or fetal growth restriction (FGR).
#8 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
Fetal growth restriction is associated with a significant increase in the risk of stillbirth. The most severely affected fetuses (weight less than the 2.5th percentile) are at greatest risk. […] Placental abruption is identified as the cause of stillbirth in 5-10% of cases. Maternal cocaine and other illicit drug use, and smoking tobacco, are all significant contributors to abruption and stillbirth. […] An abnormal karyotype can be found in approximately 6-13% of stillbirths. The rate of karyotypic abnormalities exceeds 20% in fetuses with anatomic abnormalities or in those with growth restriction, but the rate of chromosomal anomalies found in normally formed fetuses was found to be 4.6% in one large series. […] Infection is associated with approximately 10-20% of stillbirths in developed countries and a greater percentage in developing countries. In developed countries, infection accounts for a greater percentage of preterm stillbirths than of term stillbirths. Infectious pathogens may result in stillbirth by producing direct fetal infection, placental dysfunction, severe maternal illness, or by stimulating spontaneous preterm birth. […] Umbilical cord abnormalities account for approximately 10% of stillbirths but this diagnosis should be made with caution.
#9 What are possible causes of stillbirth? | NICHD – Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stillbirth/topicinfo/causes
Problems with the placenta, such as insufficient blood flow. These were the leading causes of stillbirths in the womb, usually after 24 weeks of pregnancy. […] Fetal genetic problems and congenital anomalies, such as the neural tube defect anencephaly, in which most or all of the fetal brain and skull fails to develop. […] Infection in the pregnant woman, in the womb, in the placenta, or in the fetus. Stillbirths from Escherichia coli, group B streptococcus, and enterococcus were most common. Infection-related stillbirths were more common before 24 weeks of pregnancy. […] Problems with the umbilical cord, such as when it gets knotted or squeezed, cutting off oxygen to the fetus. Umbilical cord problems were more likely to cause term stillbirths and those during labor and delivery. […] High blood pressure disorders, including chronic high blood pressure before pregnancy and preeclampsia. These problems were more common causes of late stillbirths and term stillbirths than of early stillbirths. […] Medical problems in the pregnant woman, such as diabetes before pregnancy.
#10 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
Fetal growth restriction is associated with a significant increase in the risk of stillbirth. The most severely affected fetuses (weight less than the 2.5th percentile) are at greatest risk. […] Placental abruption is identified as the cause of stillbirth in 5-10% of cases. Maternal cocaine and other illicit drug use, and smoking tobacco, are all significant contributors to abruption and stillbirth. […] An abnormal karyotype can be found in approximately 6-13% of stillbirths. The rate of karyotypic abnormalities exceeds 20% in fetuses with anatomic abnormalities or in those with growth restriction, but the rate of chromosomal anomalies found in normally formed fetuses was found to be 4.6% in one large series. […] Infection is associated with approximately 10-20% of stillbirths in developed countries and a greater percentage in developing countries. In developed countries, infection accounts for a greater percentage of preterm stillbirths than of term stillbirths. Infectious pathogens may result in stillbirth by producing direct fetal infection, placental dysfunction, severe maternal illness, or by stimulating spontaneous preterm birth. […] Umbilical cord abnormalities account for approximately 10% of stillbirths but this diagnosis should be made with caution.
#11
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/stillbirth/diagnosis-causes/
In most cases, following post-mortem investigations, a cause will be found. […] Many stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta. […] With more research, it’s hoped that placental causes may be better understood, leading to improved detection and better care for these babies. […] Other conditions that can cause or may be associated with stillbirth include: your baby has not been growing properly (growth restriction), pre-eclampsia a condition that causes high blood pressure in the mother, complications from gestational diabetes, an infection in the mother that also affects the baby, clotting disorders in the mother, your baby’s organs have not developed as expected (congenital anomaly), placental abruption where the placenta separates from the womb before the baby is born, problems with the umbilical cord, bleeding (haemorrhage) before or during labour, complications during labour – this is known as intrapartum stillbirth.
#12 Understanding Stillbirth: Causes, Prevention, and Support: Garden OBGYN: Obstetrics
https://www.gardenobgyn.com/blog/understanding-stillbirth-causes-prevention-and-support
Fetal testing, including non-stress tests (NST), biophysical profiles (BPP), and oxytocin challenge tests (OCT), remains the primary method for stillbirth prevention. Abnormal results may indicate placental dysfunction, necessitating closer monitoring and intervention. Stallmach et al. proposed a 70-fold increased risk of stillbirth in cases of placental dysfunction, highlighting the urgency of targeted interventions. […] The SCRN emphasizes the preventability of stillbirth, targeting common causes such as placental insufficiency and maternal complications. By developing tailored strategies for risk assessment and intervention, obstetric practices can significantly reduce stillbirth rates within their patient populations. […] Stillbirth remains a devastating reality for many families, necessitating a multifaceted approach encompassing prevention, specialized care, and ongoing support. By addressing risk factors, implementing targeted interventions, and prioritizing emotional well-being, healthcare providers can strive towards reducing the prevalence of stillbirth and providing compassionate care to affected families.
#13
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-024-07522-1
The study aimed to evaluate the causes of death and associated factors in cases of stillbirth, using post-mortem examination and applying a rigorous, evidence-based holistic approach. […] After applying our proposed methodology, 138 cases of stillbirth were classified into eight categories based on the causes of death. A definitive cause of death was observed in 100 (72%) cases, while 38 (28%) cases were considered unexplained. The leading cause of death was placental lesions (n=39, 28%) with maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) lesions being the most common (54%). Ascending infection was the second most common cause of fetal death (n=24, 17%) and was often seen in the setting of preterm labor and cervical insufficiency. […] The largest category of cause of death was attributed to placental pathology. Using rigorous detailed up-to-date criteria that incorporate pathological and clinical factors may help in objectively classifying the cause of death.
#14
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-024-07522-1
In our study, the leading cause of death was attributed to placental pathologies (28%), which were revealed by a post-mortem histopathological examination of the placenta. […] The rate of unexplained stillbirth cases varies widely in the literature. […] In conclusion, the pathophysiological mechanisms of stillbirth have yet to be sufficiently described. In our study, the largest category of cause of death was attributed to placental pathology, with MVM lesions being the most common. A rigorous up-to-date criteria that incorporates pathological findings and clinical reports may help objectively classify the cause of death and lower the cases of unexplained fetal death.
#15 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
Fetal growth restriction is associated with a significant increase in the risk of stillbirth. The most severely affected fetuses (weight less than the 2.5th percentile) are at greatest risk. […] Placental abruption is identified as the cause of stillbirth in 5-10% of cases. Maternal cocaine and other illicit drug use, and smoking tobacco, are all significant contributors to abruption and stillbirth. […] An abnormal karyotype can be found in approximately 6-13% of stillbirths. The rate of karyotypic abnormalities exceeds 20% in fetuses with anatomic abnormalities or in those with growth restriction, but the rate of chromosomal anomalies found in normally formed fetuses was found to be 4.6% in one large series. […] Infection is associated with approximately 10-20% of stillbirths in developed countries and a greater percentage in developing countries. In developed countries, infection accounts for a greater percentage of preterm stillbirths than of term stillbirths. Infectious pathogens may result in stillbirth by producing direct fetal infection, placental dysfunction, severe maternal illness, or by stimulating spontaneous preterm birth. […] Umbilical cord abnormalities account for approximately 10% of stillbirths but this diagnosis should be made with caution.
#16 Azthena logo with the word Azthena
https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Causes-Stillbirth.aspx
In around 50% of cases, stillbirth is linked to problems with the placenta, the organ that connects the babys blood supply to the mothers blood supply so that the baby is nourished throughout the pregnancy. Experts believe that some unexplained stillbirths are caused by a poorly functioning placenta. […] In around one in ten cases of stillbirth, the baby has a birth defect that contributed to the death. […] Around 10% of stillbirths are caused by infection, usually by bacteria that has infected the womb. […] A small proportion of stillbirths are caused by problems with the mothers health such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes. […] Unfortunately, in around one third of cases, the cause of stillbirth cannot be determined, despite best efforts to establish one.
#17 Intrauterine Fetal Demise Causes | Get Information Now
https://www.childbirthinjuries.com/birth-injury/intrauterine-fetal-demise/causes/
Approximately 25% of stillbirths are caused by genetic disorders in the baby. The most common genetic disorders in stillborn babies include Edwards syndrome, Down syndrome, Patau syndrome, and Turner syndrome. […] Infections in the baby between weeks 24 and 27 of pregnancy are among the top intrauterine fetal demise causes. Neonatal infections are often caused by bacteria that travel from the motherâs vagina to the uterus and then to the baby through the placenta. Common bacteria include chlamydia, enterococcus, E. coli, mycoplasma, or Haemophilus influenza. […] Infections in the mother can be passed to the baby. Common maternal infections that are among intrauterine fetal demise causes include cytomegalovirus (CMV), urinary tract and genital infections, and toxoplasmosis (an infection caused by touching cat feces or eating undercooked meat).
#18 Table: Some Causes of and Risk Factors for Stillbirth-Merck Manual Professional Edition
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/multimedia/table/some-causes-of-and-risk-factors-for-stillbirth
Some Causes of and Risk Factors for Stillbirth […] Maternal […] Preeclampsia or eclampsia […] Trauma […] Acquired thrombotic disorders […] Diabetes mellitus if uncontrolled […] Thyroid disorders […] Morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] 40 kg/m2) […] Substance misuse […] Tobacco use […] Sepsis […] Black race […] Age (adolescents or 35 years) […] Placental […] Placental abruption […] Intraamniotic infection (chorioamnionitis) […] Fetomaternal hemorrhage […] Twin-twin transfusion […] Umbilical cord accidents (eg, prolapse, knots) […] Uteroplacental vascular insufficiency […] Vasa previa […] Fetal […] Chromosomal abnormalities […] Single-gene disorders […] Major congenital malformations (particularly of the heart or brain) […] Alloimmune thrombocytopenia […] Fetal alloimmune or inherited anemia […] Nonimmune hydrops fetalis […] Multiple gestation […] Infection
#19 Table: Some Causes of and Risk Factors for Stillbirth-Merck Manual Professional Edition
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/multimedia/table/some-causes-of-and-risk-factors-for-stillbirth
Some Causes of and Risk Factors for Stillbirth […] Maternal […] Preeclampsia or eclampsia […] Trauma […] Acquired thrombotic disorders […] Diabetes mellitus if uncontrolled […] Thyroid disorders […] Morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] 40 kg/m2) […] Substance misuse […] Tobacco use […] Sepsis […] Black race […] Age (adolescents or 35 years) […] Placental […] Placental abruption […] Intraamniotic infection (chorioamnionitis) […] Fetomaternal hemorrhage […] Twin-twin transfusion […] Umbilical cord accidents (eg, prolapse, knots) […] Uteroplacental vascular insufficiency […] Vasa previa […] Fetal […] Chromosomal abnormalities […] Single-gene disorders […] Major congenital malformations (particularly of the heart or brain) […] Alloimmune thrombocytopenia […] Fetal alloimmune or inherited anemia […] Nonimmune hydrops fetalis […] Multiple gestation […] Infection
#20 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
Fetal growth restriction is associated with a significant increase in the risk of stillbirth. The most severely affected fetuses (weight less than the 2.5th percentile) are at greatest risk. […] Placental abruption is identified as the cause of stillbirth in 5-10% of cases. Maternal cocaine and other illicit drug use, and smoking tobacco, are all significant contributors to abruption and stillbirth. […] An abnormal karyotype can be found in approximately 6-13% of stillbirths. The rate of karyotypic abnormalities exceeds 20% in fetuses with anatomic abnormalities or in those with growth restriction, but the rate of chromosomal anomalies found in normally formed fetuses was found to be 4.6% in one large series. […] Infection is associated with approximately 10-20% of stillbirths in developed countries and a greater percentage in developing countries. In developed countries, infection accounts for a greater percentage of preterm stillbirths than of term stillbirths. Infectious pathogens may result in stillbirth by producing direct fetal infection, placental dysfunction, severe maternal illness, or by stimulating spontaneous preterm birth. […] Umbilical cord abnormalities account for approximately 10% of stillbirths but this diagnosis should be made with caution.
#21 Stillbirth: How Common, Causes, Symptoms & Support
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9685-stillbirth
A stillbirth happens when the fetus dies after week 20 of pregnancy. Stillbirths can have multiple causes, including problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, genetic conditions that affect the fetus or pregnancy complications. […] In 1 in 3 stillbirths, healthcare providers dont know why the fetus passed. Causes can be complex. Issues primarily affecting the mother, the fetus or the tissues and organs connecting them can all lead to stillbirth. […] Infections from a virus, parasite, bacteria or another pathogen (germ) cause up to 50% of stillbirths in developing countries. They cause up to 25% of stillbirths in developed countries. […] A problem with these lifelines can prevent the fetus from receiving the oxygen, blood and nutrients needed to thrive. […] Sometimes, theres an issue with how the fetus develops, or a congenital disability (birth defect). The fetus may have a genetic condition.
#22 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
Fetal growth restriction is associated with a significant increase in the risk of stillbirth. The most severely affected fetuses (weight less than the 2.5th percentile) are at greatest risk. […] Placental abruption is identified as the cause of stillbirth in 5-10% of cases. Maternal cocaine and other illicit drug use, and smoking tobacco, are all significant contributors to abruption and stillbirth. […] An abnormal karyotype can be found in approximately 6-13% of stillbirths. The rate of karyotypic abnormalities exceeds 20% in fetuses with anatomic abnormalities or in those with growth restriction, but the rate of chromosomal anomalies found in normally formed fetuses was found to be 4.6% in one large series. […] Infection is associated with approximately 10-20% of stillbirths in developed countries and a greater percentage in developing countries. In developed countries, infection accounts for a greater percentage of preterm stillbirths than of term stillbirths. Infectious pathogens may result in stillbirth by producing direct fetal infection, placental dysfunction, severe maternal illness, or by stimulating spontaneous preterm birth. […] Umbilical cord abnormalities account for approximately 10% of stillbirths but this diagnosis should be made with caution.
#23 What are possible causes of stillbirth? | NICHD – Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stillbirth/topicinfo/causes
Problems with the placenta, such as insufficient blood flow. These were the leading causes of stillbirths in the womb, usually after 24 weeks of pregnancy. […] Fetal genetic problems and congenital anomalies, such as the neural tube defect anencephaly, in which most or all of the fetal brain and skull fails to develop. […] Infection in the pregnant woman, in the womb, in the placenta, or in the fetus. Stillbirths from Escherichia coli, group B streptococcus, and enterococcus were most common. Infection-related stillbirths were more common before 24 weeks of pregnancy. […] Problems with the umbilical cord, such as when it gets knotted or squeezed, cutting off oxygen to the fetus. Umbilical cord problems were more likely to cause term stillbirths and those during labor and delivery. […] High blood pressure disorders, including chronic high blood pressure before pregnancy and preeclampsia. These problems were more common causes of late stillbirths and term stillbirths than of early stillbirths. […] Medical problems in the pregnant woman, such as diabetes before pregnancy.
#24 Intrauterine Fetal Demise Causes | Get Information Now
https://www.childbirthinjuries.com/birth-injury/intrauterine-fetal-demise/causes/
Approximately 25% of stillbirths are caused by genetic disorders in the baby. The most common genetic disorders in stillborn babies include Edwards syndrome, Down syndrome, Patau syndrome, and Turner syndrome. […] Infections in the baby between weeks 24 and 27 of pregnancy are among the top intrauterine fetal demise causes. Neonatal infections are often caused by bacteria that travel from the motherâs vagina to the uterus and then to the baby through the placenta. Common bacteria include chlamydia, enterococcus, E. coli, mycoplasma, or Haemophilus influenza. […] Infections in the mother can be passed to the baby. Common maternal infections that are among intrauterine fetal demise causes include cytomegalovirus (CMV), urinary tract and genital infections, and toxoplasmosis (an infection caused by touching cat feces or eating undercooked meat).
#25
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/causes/
A large proportion of stillbirths happen in otherwise healthy babies, and the reason often can’t be explained. But there are some causes we do know about. […] Many stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta. […] Other conditions that can cause or may be associated with stillbirth include: bleeding (haemorrhage) before or during labour, placental abruption where the placenta separates from the womb before the baby is born, pre-eclampsia a condition that causes high blood pressure in the mother, a problem with the umbilical cord, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis, a genetic physical defect in the baby, pre-existing diabetes, an infection in the mother that also affects the baby. […] Other infections that can cause stillbirths include: rubella, parvovirus B19, coxsackie virus B, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, listeriosis, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Q fever, toxoplasmosis, malaria.
#26
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/causes/
A large proportion of stillbirths happen in otherwise healthy babies, and the reason often can’t be explained. But there are some causes we do know about. […] Many stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta. […] Other conditions that can cause or may be associated with stillbirth include: bleeding (haemorrhage) before or during labour, placental abruption where the placenta separates from the womb before the baby is born, pre-eclampsia a condition that causes high blood pressure in the mother, a problem with the umbilical cord, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis, a genetic physical defect in the baby, pre-existing diabetes, an infection in the mother that also affects the baby. […] Other infections that can cause stillbirths include: rubella, parvovirus B19, coxsackie virus B, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, listeriosis, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Q fever, toxoplasmosis, malaria.
#27
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/causes/
A large proportion of stillbirths happen in otherwise healthy babies, and the reason often can’t be explained. But there are some causes we do know about. […] Many stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta. […] Other conditions that can cause or may be associated with stillbirth include: bleeding (haemorrhage) before or during labour, placental abruption where the placenta separates from the womb before the baby is born, pre-eclampsia a condition that causes high blood pressure in the mother, a problem with the umbilical cord, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis, a genetic physical defect in the baby, pre-existing diabetes, an infection in the mother that also affects the baby. […] Other infections that can cause stillbirths include: rubella, parvovirus B19, coxsackie virus B, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, listeriosis, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Q fever, toxoplasmosis, malaria.
#28 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Polyhydramnios complicates 1% to 2% of pregnancies. […] Oligohydramnios is associated with an increased risk for small gestational age fetuses and stillbirth. […] The umbilical cord may be implicated in stillbirth; however, a nuchal cord may be present in up to 30% of normal births. […] Infection as a cause of stillbirth may be underrepresented because signs and symptoms of infection are often undetected, and evaluation for infection is often not conducted. […] Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), in addition to thrombotic events, has been linked to stillbirth since 1984. […] Intrahepatic cholestasis may affect 0.1% to 2 % of pregnant women.
#29 Evaluation of Fetal Death: Definition of Fetal Death, Frequency of Fetal Death, Diagnosis of Fetal Death
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/259165-overview
Infection is a common cause of stillbirth globally and may lead to fetal demise owing to severe maternal illness, placental effects, or direct fetal infection. […] Maternal sepsis due to bacterial infection, or viral etiology such as COVID-19, may have life-threatening systemic effects, with severe hypotension and end-organ injury contributing to fetal death. A large population-based study in the United States found that infection-related stillbirth occurred at an earlier gestational age compared with non-infection-related stillbirth (median gestational age, 22 vs 28 weeks; P = .001). […] Maternal causes of fetal death are as follows: Prolonged pregnancy (42 wk), Diabetes (poorly controlled), Systemic lupus erythematosus, Antiphospholipid syndrome, Renal disease, Cholestasis of pregnancy, Infection, Hypertension, Preeclampsia, Eclampsia, Hemoglobinopathy, Advanced maternal age, Rh disease, Uterine rupture, Maternal trauma or death.
#30 What are possible causes of stillbirth? | NICHD – Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stillbirth/topicinfo/causes
Problems with the placenta, such as insufficient blood flow. These were the leading causes of stillbirths in the womb, usually after 24 weeks of pregnancy. […] Fetal genetic problems and congenital anomalies, such as the neural tube defect anencephaly, in which most or all of the fetal brain and skull fails to develop. […] Infection in the pregnant woman, in the womb, in the placenta, or in the fetus. Stillbirths from Escherichia coli, group B streptococcus, and enterococcus were most common. Infection-related stillbirths were more common before 24 weeks of pregnancy. […] Problems with the umbilical cord, such as when it gets knotted or squeezed, cutting off oxygen to the fetus. Umbilical cord problems were more likely to cause term stillbirths and those during labor and delivery. […] High blood pressure disorders, including chronic high blood pressure before pregnancy and preeclampsia. These problems were more common causes of late stillbirths and term stillbirths than of early stillbirths. […] Medical problems in the pregnant woman, such as diabetes before pregnancy.
#31 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
Fetal growth restriction is associated with a significant increase in the risk of stillbirth. The most severely affected fetuses (weight less than the 2.5th percentile) are at greatest risk. […] Placental abruption is identified as the cause of stillbirth in 5-10% of cases. Maternal cocaine and other illicit drug use, and smoking tobacco, are all significant contributors to abruption and stillbirth. […] An abnormal karyotype can be found in approximately 6-13% of stillbirths. The rate of karyotypic abnormalities exceeds 20% in fetuses with anatomic abnormalities or in those with growth restriction, but the rate of chromosomal anomalies found in normally formed fetuses was found to be 4.6% in one large series. […] Infection is associated with approximately 10-20% of stillbirths in developed countries and a greater percentage in developing countries. In developed countries, infection accounts for a greater percentage of preterm stillbirths than of term stillbirths. Infectious pathogens may result in stillbirth by producing direct fetal infection, placental dysfunction, severe maternal illness, or by stimulating spontaneous preterm birth. […] Umbilical cord abnormalities account for approximately 10% of stillbirths but this diagnosis should be made with caution.
#32 What Causes Stillbirth? Placenta Problems, Infection & MoreCloseleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowCloseReconfirm cookies choice
https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/stillbirth-information-and-support/causes-stillbirth
Sometimes the placenta can separate from the womb before the baby is born. This is called placental abruption. It can lead to stillbirth because the placenta that has separated from the womb is not working as it should. […] Pre-eclampsia is a condition that occurs typically after 20 weeks of pregnancy and causes high blood pressure and protein in urine. […] 4.2% of stillbirths happened because of an intrauterine (womb) infection. […] Reduced fetal movements is not a cause of stillbirth but it is one of the signs that a baby may not be getting enough food or oxygen. […] There are some other conditions that have been linked to stillbirth: intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis â a liver disorder that can affect pregnancy, pre-existing diabetes, gestational diabetes, genetic defect in the baby (the reason for around 10% of stillbirths), excessive blood loss (haemorrhage) before or during labour, issues with the umbilical cord â the cord can come out of the entrance of the womb before the baby is born (cord prolapse), be wrapped around the baby or become knotted, premature birth â when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. […] Without more research, we will never know why so many babies die before birth. Tommyâs Manchester Research Centre is focused on learning more about the main causes of stillbirth and how it can be prevented.
#33 Intrauterine Fetal Demise (Stillbirth) | Birth Injury Center
https://birthinjurycenter.org/types-of-birth-injuries/intrauterine-fetal-demise/
Genetic Abnormalities. The most well-known genetic abnormalities are cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and Tay-Sachs disease. […] Rh Disease. The Rh factor is a protein thatâs attached to red blood cells. […] Placental Issues. The placenta is a vital organ that forms in the lining of a womanâs uterus when sheâs pregnant. […] Umbilical Cord Issues. The umbilical cord works to get blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the fetus. […] Uterine Rupture. As a rare cause of intrauterine fetal demise, uterine rupture can occur during late pregnancy or active labor.
#34 What Causes Stillbirth? Placenta Problems, Infection & MoreCloseleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowCloseReconfirm cookies choice
https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/stillbirth-information-and-support/causes-stillbirth
Sometimes the placenta can separate from the womb before the baby is born. This is called placental abruption. It can lead to stillbirth because the placenta that has separated from the womb is not working as it should. […] Pre-eclampsia is a condition that occurs typically after 20 weeks of pregnancy and causes high blood pressure and protein in urine. […] 4.2% of stillbirths happened because of an intrauterine (womb) infection. […] Reduced fetal movements is not a cause of stillbirth but it is one of the signs that a baby may not be getting enough food or oxygen. […] There are some other conditions that have been linked to stillbirth: intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis â a liver disorder that can affect pregnancy, pre-existing diabetes, gestational diabetes, genetic defect in the baby (the reason for around 10% of stillbirths), excessive blood loss (haemorrhage) before or during labour, issues with the umbilical cord â the cord can come out of the entrance of the womb before the baby is born (cord prolapse), be wrapped around the baby or become knotted, premature birth â when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. […] Without more research, we will never know why so many babies die before birth. Tommyâs Manchester Research Centre is focused on learning more about the main causes of stillbirth and how it can be prevented.
#35 Understanding and recovering from a stillbirth
https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/health-and-safety/understanding-stillbirth_10350846
Stillbirth occurs when a baby dies in utero at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later. Medical professionals don’t always know why stillbirths happen, but some common causes include poor fetal growth, placental abruption, and birth defects. […] In up to a third of stillborn deaths, medical professionals aren’t able to determine what caused the stillbirth, even after performing a thorough investigation. And sometimes more than one cause may contribute to a baby’s death. […] Common causes of stillbirth include: Poor fetal growth. Babies with intrauterine growth restriction (they’re growing too slowly) have a significantly increased risk of stillbirth, especially if the growth is severely affected. Placental abruption. Placental abruption happens when the placenta starts to separate from the uterus before a baby is delivered. Birth defects. Chromosomal and genetic abnormalities, as well as structural defects, may result in stillbirth. Some stillborn babies have multiple birth defects. Infections. Infections involving the mother, baby, or placenta including fifth disease, cytomegalovirus, listeriosis, and syphilis are another significant cause of stillbirth. Umbilical cord accidents. Accidents involving the umbilical cord may contribute to a small number of stillbirths. When there’s a knot in the cord or when the cord isn’t attached to the placenta properly, the baby may be deprived of oxygen. Cord abnormalities are common among healthy babies, however, and are rarely the primary cause of stillbirth. Other events, such as a lack of oxygen during a difficult delivery or trauma (from a car accident, for instance), can also cause stillbirth.
#36 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Polyhydramnios complicates 1% to 2% of pregnancies. […] Oligohydramnios is associated with an increased risk for small gestational age fetuses and stillbirth. […] The umbilical cord may be implicated in stillbirth; however, a nuchal cord may be present in up to 30% of normal births. […] Infection as a cause of stillbirth may be underrepresented because signs and symptoms of infection are often undetected, and evaluation for infection is often not conducted. […] Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), in addition to thrombotic events, has been linked to stillbirth since 1984. […] Intrahepatic cholestasis may affect 0.1% to 2 % of pregnant women.
#37 Stillbirth Causes and Risks – OB-GYN New York City
https://www.mfmnyc.com/blog/stillbirth-causes-risks/
Stillbirth or fetal death after 20 weeks of pregnancy is one of the most common pregnancy outcomes. It complicates 1 in 160 deliveries or 6.2 per 1,000 births. […] The most prevalent risk factors for stillbirth are non-Hispanic black race, a woman having her first child, advanced maternal age (more than or equal to age 35) and obesity. Medical diseases such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney disease, thyroid disorders and multiple gestations such as twin or triplets are examples. Infections such as human parvovirus (Fifthâs disease) syphilis, streptococcal infection, and listeria are also risk factors. […] Some causes of stillbirth include fetal birth defects or genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome, Turnerâs syndrome, Trisomy 18 or Trisomy 13. […] Although many stillbirths are attributed to umbilical cord accidents, this diagnosis should be made with caution, as a cord around a babyâs neck is common.
#38 What are possible causes of stillbirth? | NICHD – Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stillbirth/topicinfo/causes
Researchers have identified several possible causes of or contributors to stillbirth. However, in many stillbirths, the cause remains unknown even after extensive testing. […] This first-of-its-kind resource examined more than 500 stillbirths at 59 medical centers around the United States over 5 years. In almost one quarter of these cases, the researchers could not determine a probable or even a possible cause of death. Also, many of the stillbirths had more than one likely cause. […] The research identified the following possible causes of stillbirth in the United States, in order from most to least common: Pregnancy and labor complications, such as preterm labor; pregnancy with twins or triplets; and the separation of the placenta, which provides oxygen and nutrition to the fetus, from the womb (also called placental abruption). These were more common causes of stillbirths before 24 weeks of pregnancy.
#39 Stillbirth: Types; Signs and Symptoms; Causes
https://www.verywellhealth.com/stillbirth-5119261
Stillbirth clinically known as intrauterine fetal demise is the death of a baby at or after the 20th week of pregnancy. […] Some factors are known to cause or contribute to stillbirth, and many stillbirths will have more than one cause. The most likely causes of, or contributors to, stillbirth are: […] Pregnancy and labor complications: These include preterm labor, pregnancy with multiple babies (such as twins or triplets), and separation of the placenta from the womb (placental abruption). In studies, these complications were the more common causes of stillbirths before week 24. They are estimated to be the likely cause of 1 in 3 stillbirths. […] Problems with the placenta: An example of this is not enough blood flow to the placenta. In studies, these deaths tended to occur after 24 weeks of pregnancy. They are estimated to be the likely cause of 1 in 4 stillbirths.
#40 What are possible causes of stillbirth? | NICHD – Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stillbirth/topicinfo/causes
Researchers have identified several possible causes of or contributors to stillbirth. However, in many stillbirths, the cause remains unknown even after extensive testing. […] This first-of-its-kind resource examined more than 500 stillbirths at 59 medical centers around the United States over 5 years. In almost one quarter of these cases, the researchers could not determine a probable or even a possible cause of death. Also, many of the stillbirths had more than one likely cause. […] The research identified the following possible causes of stillbirth in the United States, in order from most to least common: Pregnancy and labor complications, such as preterm labor; pregnancy with twins or triplets; and the separation of the placenta, which provides oxygen and nutrition to the fetus, from the womb (also called placental abruption). These were more common causes of stillbirths before 24 weeks of pregnancy.
#41 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
The stillbirth rate among twin pregnancies is approximately 2.5 times higher than that of singletons. The risk of stillbirth increases in all twins with advancing gestational age, and it is significantly greater in monochorionic as compared with dichorionic twins. […] The study of specific causes of stillbirth has been hampered by the lack of uniform protocols to evaluate and classify stillbirths and by decreasing autopsy rates. In most cases, stillbirth certificates are filled out before a full postnatal investigation has been completed and amended death certificates are rarely filed when additional information from the stillbirth evaluation emerges. In any specific case, it may be difficult to assign a definite cause to a stillbirth. A significant proportion of stillbirths remains unexplained even after a thorough evaluation.
#42 âCauses of Death Among Stillbirthsâ (2011), by Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network Writing Group | Embryo Project Encyclopedia
https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/causes-death-among-stillbirths-2011-stillbirth-collaborative-research-network-writing-group
Stillbirth is the death of a fetus at twenty or more weeks during pregnancy. […] The SCRNs research seeks to identify risk factors for stillbirth, including environmental and geographical factors. […] The authors also explain that stillbirth prevalence in the United States shows significant racial and ethnic disparity. […] According to the authors, much of the racial and ethnic disparity in stillbirth rate remains unexplained. […] The authors also revealed that stillbirths in non-Hispanic Black women occurred the earliest in gestation compared to those of any other demographic. […] Of the stillbirths, the authors claimed that the most common causes for death were related to complications during childbirth, including preterm labor, recurring contractions before week thirty-seven of pregnancy, and cervical insufficiency, which is when the cervical tissue is weak enough that it contributes to preterm birth.
#43 What Causes Stillbirth? Placenta Problems, Infection & MoreCloseleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowCloseReconfirm cookies choice
https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/stillbirth-information-and-support/causes-stillbirth
Sometimes the placenta can separate from the womb before the baby is born. This is called placental abruption. It can lead to stillbirth because the placenta that has separated from the womb is not working as it should. […] Pre-eclampsia is a condition that occurs typically after 20 weeks of pregnancy and causes high blood pressure and protein in urine. […] 4.2% of stillbirths happened because of an intrauterine (womb) infection. […] Reduced fetal movements is not a cause of stillbirth but it is one of the signs that a baby may not be getting enough food or oxygen. […] There are some other conditions that have been linked to stillbirth: intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis â a liver disorder that can affect pregnancy, pre-existing diabetes, gestational diabetes, genetic defect in the baby (the reason for around 10% of stillbirths), excessive blood loss (haemorrhage) before or during labour, issues with the umbilical cord â the cord can come out of the entrance of the womb before the baby is born (cord prolapse), be wrapped around the baby or become knotted, premature birth â when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. […] Without more research, we will never know why so many babies die before birth. Tommyâs Manchester Research Centre is focused on learning more about the main causes of stillbirth and how it can be prevented.
#44 Intrauterine Fetal Demise (Stillbirth) | Birth Injury Center
https://birthinjurycenter.org/types-of-birth-injuries/intrauterine-fetal-demise/
As the 5th leading cause of death worldwide, intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), more commonly known as a stillbirth, is fetal death at the time of delivery. IUFD occurs when a fetus shows no signs of life, characterized as the absence or lack of breathing, heartbeat, and defined movements of muscles. […] The causes of IUFD can vary and sometimes remain unknown. The reasoning behind the occurrence may often not always seem important or feel like a priority, especially amid the emotional, mental, and physical toll of experiencing stillbirth. […] Possible causes of IUFD include: Post-Term Pregnancy. When the baby remains in the womb for too long, the risk of fetal death increases. A post-term pregnancy, where the pregnancy continues to 42 weeks or more (dated from the last menstrual period), carries the highest risk, although the risk begins to increase after 40 weeks.
#45 What you need to know about stillbirths | UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/stories/what-you-need-to-know-about-stillbirths
Over 40 per cent of stillbirths occur during labour. Common causes of stillbirths that occur during labour are hypoxia (oxygen deprivation), placental obstruction and other delivery and labour related complications. […] Improved health systems and high-quality antenatal and delivery care are critical to ending preventable stillbirths. This means access to functional health facilities with adequate medicine and equipment, electricity, running water, soap and blankets, and the availability of round-the-clock referral systems every day of the week. Adequate numbers of competent health care workers are essential, including midwives in the public and private sectors trained to national and international standards.
#46 Stillbirth: Types; Signs and Symptoms; Causes
https://www.verywellhealth.com/stillbirth-5119261
Medical complications in the mother: Medical conditions, such as diabetes, were linked with less than 1 in 10 stillbirths. […] In some cases, a probable or even possible cause of stillbirth may not be found, even after extensive testing. […] According to a study by the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, which examined more than 500 stillbirths that occurred in the United States over two and a half years, the causes of stillbirth could not be determined in 1 in 4 cases.
#47 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Placental abnormalities can also be found in stillbirths without evidence of impaired growth. […] Diabetes increases stillbirth risk up to 5 times. […] Non-Hispanic black women in the U.S. have a higher rate of stillbirth (11 per 1000 births) compared to other racial groups. […] Obesity is an independent risk factor for stillbirth, even after controlling for diabetes, smoking, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. […] The risk of stillbirth is augmented by advanced maternal age due to an increased risk for aneuploidy and medical complications of pregnancy. […] Smoking tobacco increases the risk of stillbirth, both antepartum and intrapartum (15/1000). […] Chronic hypertension increases stillbirth risk 3 times. […] Congenital defects, defined as physical or biochemical abnormalities, occur in 1/33 of pregnancies and are associated with a higher risk of stillbirth.
#48
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/causes/
A large proportion of stillbirths happen in otherwise healthy babies, and the reason often can’t be explained. But there are some causes we do know about. […] Many stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta. […] Other conditions that can cause or may be associated with stillbirth include: bleeding (haemorrhage) before or during labour, placental abruption where the placenta separates from the womb before the baby is born, pre-eclampsia a condition that causes high blood pressure in the mother, a problem with the umbilical cord, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis, a genetic physical defect in the baby, pre-existing diabetes, an infection in the mother that also affects the baby. […] Other infections that can cause stillbirths include: rubella, parvovirus B19, coxsackie virus B, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, listeriosis, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Q fever, toxoplasmosis, malaria.
#49 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Placental abnormalities can also be found in stillbirths without evidence of impaired growth. […] Diabetes increases stillbirth risk up to 5 times. […] Non-Hispanic black women in the U.S. have a higher rate of stillbirth (11 per 1000 births) compared to other racial groups. […] Obesity is an independent risk factor for stillbirth, even after controlling for diabetes, smoking, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. […] The risk of stillbirth is augmented by advanced maternal age due to an increased risk for aneuploidy and medical complications of pregnancy. […] Smoking tobacco increases the risk of stillbirth, both antepartum and intrapartum (15/1000). […] Chronic hypertension increases stillbirth risk 3 times. […] Congenital defects, defined as physical or biochemical abnormalities, occur in 1/33 of pregnancies and are associated with a higher risk of stillbirth.
#50 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Placental abnormalities can also be found in stillbirths without evidence of impaired growth. […] Diabetes increases stillbirth risk up to 5 times. […] Non-Hispanic black women in the U.S. have a higher rate of stillbirth (11 per 1000 births) compared to other racial groups. […] Obesity is an independent risk factor for stillbirth, even after controlling for diabetes, smoking, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. […] The risk of stillbirth is augmented by advanced maternal age due to an increased risk for aneuploidy and medical complications of pregnancy. […] Smoking tobacco increases the risk of stillbirth, both antepartum and intrapartum (15/1000). […] Chronic hypertension increases stillbirth risk 3 times. […] Congenital defects, defined as physical or biochemical abnormalities, occur in 1/33 of pregnancies and are associated with a higher risk of stillbirth.
#51 Intrauterine Fetal Demise (Stillbirth) | Birth Injury Center
https://birthinjurycenter.org/types-of-birth-injuries/intrauterine-fetal-demise/
Maternal Infections. Examples of maternal infections that can be dangerous to the fetus and possibly cause IUFD include certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV and syphilis and serious illnesses such as malaria. […] Chronic Maternal Illness. Pregnant women with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, or other chronic medical conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing intrauterine fetal death. […] Small Fetus Size or Restricted Growth. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) in pregnancy makes stillbirth seven times more likely to happen. […] Complicated Birth. While many deliveries happen safely, sometimes unexpected complications arise. […] Congenital Birth Defects. Frequently defined as structural or functional anomalies, one in every five stillborn fetuses has birth defects.
#52 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Polyhydramnios complicates 1% to 2% of pregnancies. […] Oligohydramnios is associated with an increased risk for small gestational age fetuses and stillbirth. […] The umbilical cord may be implicated in stillbirth; however, a nuchal cord may be present in up to 30% of normal births. […] Infection as a cause of stillbirth may be underrepresented because signs and symptoms of infection are often undetected, and evaluation for infection is often not conducted. […] Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), in addition to thrombotic events, has been linked to stillbirth since 1984. […] Intrahepatic cholestasis may affect 0.1% to 2 % of pregnant women.
#53 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Polyhydramnios complicates 1% to 2% of pregnancies. […] Oligohydramnios is associated with an increased risk for small gestational age fetuses and stillbirth. […] The umbilical cord may be implicated in stillbirth; however, a nuchal cord may be present in up to 30% of normal births. […] Infection as a cause of stillbirth may be underrepresented because signs and symptoms of infection are often undetected, and evaluation for infection is often not conducted. […] Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), in addition to thrombotic events, has been linked to stillbirth since 1984. […] Intrahepatic cholestasis may affect 0.1% to 2 % of pregnant women.
#54 What Causes Stillbirth? Placenta Problems, Infection & MoreCloseleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowCloseReconfirm cookies choice
https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/stillbirth-information-and-support/causes-stillbirth
Sometimes the placenta can separate from the womb before the baby is born. This is called placental abruption. It can lead to stillbirth because the placenta that has separated from the womb is not working as it should. […] Pre-eclampsia is a condition that occurs typically after 20 weeks of pregnancy and causes high blood pressure and protein in urine. […] 4.2% of stillbirths happened because of an intrauterine (womb) infection. […] Reduced fetal movements is not a cause of stillbirth but it is one of the signs that a baby may not be getting enough food or oxygen. […] There are some other conditions that have been linked to stillbirth: intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis â a liver disorder that can affect pregnancy, pre-existing diabetes, gestational diabetes, genetic defect in the baby (the reason for around 10% of stillbirths), excessive blood loss (haemorrhage) before or during labour, issues with the umbilical cord â the cord can come out of the entrance of the womb before the baby is born (cord prolapse), be wrapped around the baby or become knotted, premature birth â when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. […] Without more research, we will never know why so many babies die before birth. Tommyâs Manchester Research Centre is focused on learning more about the main causes of stillbirth and how it can be prevented.
#55 What you need to know about stillbirths | UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/stories/what-you-need-to-know-about-stillbirths
One stillbirth happens every 16 seconds. Thatâs about 2 million babies stillborn every year. What makes these deaths even more tragic is that the majority could have been prevented through quality care during pregnancy and at birth. […] Most stillbirths, about 8 in 10, occur in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. Over 40 per cent of stillbirths occur during labour. The majority of stillbirths can be prevented through quality care during pregnancy and at birth. […] Commonly reported causes of stillbirth include complications during childbirth, haemorrhage before childbirth (including placental abruption), infections and maternal conditions, and pregnancy complications with fetal growth restriction as a common underlying cause. A motherâs health is also linked to causes of stillbirth. An estimated 10 per cent of worldwide stillbirths are the result of obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
#56 Stillbirth – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillbirth
A pregnant woman sleeping on her back after 28 weeks of pregnancy may be a risk factor for stillbirth. […] After a stillbirth there is a 2.5% risk of another stillbirth in the next pregnancy (an increase from 0.4%). […] In the United States, highest rates of stillbirths happen in pregnant women who are of low socioeconomic status, are aged 35 years or older, have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc., are African-American, have previously lost a pregnancy, have multiple children at a time (twins, triplets, etc.).
#57
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/causes/
There are also a number of things that may increase your risk of having a stillborn baby, including: having twins or a multiple pregnancy, having a baby who doesn’t grow as they should in the womb, being under 20 or over 35 years old, smoking, drinking alcohol or misusing drugs while pregnant, being obese, having a pre-existing physical health condition, such as diabetes. […] If a baby is smaller than expected or their growth pattern tails off as the pregnancy continues, it may be because the placenta isn’t working properly. This increases the risk of stillbirth.
#58 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Placental abnormalities can also be found in stillbirths without evidence of impaired growth. […] Diabetes increases stillbirth risk up to 5 times. […] Non-Hispanic black women in the U.S. have a higher rate of stillbirth (11 per 1000 births) compared to other racial groups. […] Obesity is an independent risk factor for stillbirth, even after controlling for diabetes, smoking, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. […] The risk of stillbirth is augmented by advanced maternal age due to an increased risk for aneuploidy and medical complications of pregnancy. […] Smoking tobacco increases the risk of stillbirth, both antepartum and intrapartum (15/1000). […] Chronic hypertension increases stillbirth risk 3 times. […] Congenital defects, defined as physical or biochemical abnormalities, occur in 1/33 of pregnancies and are associated with a higher risk of stillbirth.
#59
https://www.who.int/health-topics/stillbirth
Syphilis treatment in pregnancy could also prevent an estimated 200 000 stillbirths, while fetal heart rate monitoring and labour surveillance and prompt interventions when needed are crucial for preventing 832 000 intrapartum stillbirths and reducing neonatal deaths. […] Stillbirths are strongly linked to adverse social and economic determinants of health.
#60 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
Stillbirth is one of the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes, occurring in 1 in 160 deliveries in the United States. In developed countries, the most prevalent risk factors associated with stillbirth are non-Hispanic black race, nulliparity, advanced maternal age, obesity, preexisting diabetes, chronic hypertension, smoking, alcohol use, having a pregnancy using assisted reproductive technology, multiple gestation, male fetal sex, unmarried status, and past obstetric history. […] The study of specific causes of stillbirth has been hampered by the lack of uniform protocols to evaluate and classify stillbirths and by decreasing autopsy rates. In any specific case, it may be difficult to assign a definite cause to a stillbirth. A significant proportion of stillbirths remains unexplained even after a thorough evaluation. Evaluation of a stillbirth should include fetal autopsy; gross and histologic examination of the placenta, umbilical cord, and membranes; and genetic evaluation.
#61 Stillbirth: How Common, Causes, Symptoms & Support
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9685-stillbirth
Pregnancy complications that may lead to stillbirth include: Preeclampsia: High blood pressure that starts during the second half of pregnancy. […] Youre more likely to experience problems during pregnancy if you have a chronic health condition, like diabetes, lupus, high blood pressure, obesity or a blood clotting disorder. […] Stillbirth rates vary significantly depending on the part of the world. Developing countries have as many as 22 stillbirths out of every 1,000 births. The rate is much lower in developed countries. […] Improved prenatal care has led to reduced rates of stillbirths worldwide. But theres a long way to go to reduce healthcare disparities (differences) that make some people more likely to experience stillbirths than others.
#62
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/causes/
There are also a number of things that may increase your risk of having a stillborn baby, including: having twins or a multiple pregnancy, having a baby who doesn’t grow as they should in the womb, being under 20 or over 35 years old, smoking, drinking alcohol or misusing drugs while pregnant, being obese, having a pre-existing physical health condition, such as diabetes. […] If a baby is smaller than expected or their growth pattern tails off as the pregnancy continues, it may be because the placenta isn’t working properly. This increases the risk of stillbirth.
#63 What Causes Stillbirth? Placenta Problems, Infection & MoreCloseleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowCloseReconfirm cookies choice
https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/stillbirth-information-and-support/causes-stillbirth
Sometimes the placenta can separate from the womb before the baby is born. This is called placental abruption. It can lead to stillbirth because the placenta that has separated from the womb is not working as it should. […] Pre-eclampsia is a condition that occurs typically after 20 weeks of pregnancy and causes high blood pressure and protein in urine. […] 4.2% of stillbirths happened because of an intrauterine (womb) infection. […] Reduced fetal movements is not a cause of stillbirth but it is one of the signs that a baby may not be getting enough food or oxygen. […] There are some other conditions that have been linked to stillbirth: intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis â a liver disorder that can affect pregnancy, pre-existing diabetes, gestational diabetes, genetic defect in the baby (the reason for around 10% of stillbirths), excessive blood loss (haemorrhage) before or during labour, issues with the umbilical cord â the cord can come out of the entrance of the womb before the baby is born (cord prolapse), be wrapped around the baby or become knotted, premature birth â when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. […] Without more research, we will never know why so many babies die before birth. Tommyâs Manchester Research Centre is focused on learning more about the main causes of stillbirth and how it can be prevented.
#64 Stillbirth – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillbirth
A pregnant woman sleeping on her back after 28 weeks of pregnancy may be a risk factor for stillbirth. […] After a stillbirth there is a 2.5% risk of another stillbirth in the next pregnancy (an increase from 0.4%). […] In the United States, highest rates of stillbirths happen in pregnant women who are of low socioeconomic status, are aged 35 years or older, have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc., are African-American, have previously lost a pregnancy, have multiple children at a time (twins, triplets, etc.).
#65 Stillbirth: Incidence, risk factors, etiology, and prevention – UpToDate
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/stillbirth-incidence-risk-factors-etiology-and-prevention
Stillbirth: Incidence, risk factors, etiology, and prevention […] The incidence, risk factors, and etiology of stillbirth, as well as strategies for prevention, will be reviewed here. […] POTENTIAL ETIOLOGIES […] Congenital anomalies […] Fetal growth restriction […] Infection […] Genetic abnormalities […] Placental abruption […] Hydrops fetalis […] Umbilical cord abnormalities […] Placental abnormalities […] Fetomaternal hemorrhage […] RISK FACTORS […] Previous stillbirth […] Previous adverse pregnancy outcome […] Comorbid chronic medical disorders […] Diabetes […] Hypertensive disorders […] Substance use […] Acquired and inherited thrombophilias […] Obesity […] Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy […] Uterine abnormalities […] Assisted reproductive technology […] Fetal factors […] Multiple gestation […] Male sex […] Platelet alloimmunization […] Postterm pregnancy […] STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION OF RECURRENT STILLBIRTH […] Thorough evaluation for the cause of the first stillbirth.
#66 Causes and risk factors for singleton stillbirth in Japan: Analysis of a nationwide perinatal database, 2013â2014 | Scientific Reports
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-22546-9
This study examined singleton stillbirth in Japan using a nationwide perinatal database between 2013 and 2014. Our study found that the cause of death remained unknown in about one third of stillbirths with low rates of autopsy and placental examination. We also found that while small-sized infants and nulliparous women had a significantly increased risk of stillbirth, other well-known clinical risk factors for perinatal mortality, such as maternal overweight/obesity, PIH and oligohydramnios, had no or even protective effect on stillbirth risk. […] Identifying a single direct cause of stillbirth is difficult in many cases and uncertainty may exist even after a full investigation. Nevertheless, investigating why and how it occurred is an important process for both physicians and families experiencing the trauma of stillbirth. It may reveal conditions that may predispose families to recurrent stillbirth and help better prepare for future pregnancies, and assist families to come to terms with lost pregnancies.
#67 Understanding Stillbirth: Causes, Prevention, and Support: Garden OBGYN: Obstetrics
https://www.gardenobgyn.com/blog/understanding-stillbirth-causes-prevention-and-support
Stillbirth is a heartbreaking reality affecting families worldwide, with approximately 23,600 cases reported annually in the United States alone. […] Various factors contribute to the risk of stillbirth, including nulliparity, advanced maternal age, diabetes, chronic hypertension, smoking, alcohol use, assisted reproductive technology, and multiple gestation. Obesity significantly increases the risk, with maternal obesity associated with a five-fold increase in stillbirth risk. In vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies also exhibit a two to three-fold higher stillbirth rate. […] Recent research highlights premature placental aging as a significant factor in stillbirth cases. Placental abnormalities, such as thickening of maternal spiral artery walls, infarcts, and vascular occlusion, are common findings. Stallmach et al. identified abnormal placental maturation and dysfunction as major preventable causes, emphasizing the importance of fetal testing for early detection and intervention.
#68 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Polyhydramnios complicates 1% to 2% of pregnancies. […] Oligohydramnios is associated with an increased risk for small gestational age fetuses and stillbirth. […] The umbilical cord may be implicated in stillbirth; however, a nuchal cord may be present in up to 30% of normal births. […] Infection as a cause of stillbirth may be underrepresented because signs and symptoms of infection are often undetected, and evaluation for infection is often not conducted. […] Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), in addition to thrombotic events, has been linked to stillbirth since 1984. […] Intrahepatic cholestasis may affect 0.1% to 2 % of pregnant women.
#69 Increased risk for stillbirth passed through male relatives – @theU
https://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/increased-risk-for-stillbirth-passed-through-male-relatives/
Study shows risk of stillbirth can be inherited and tends to be passed down through male members of the family, with greater risk when the condition comes from the fathers side of the family. […] Newly published research is the first to show that stillbirth can be inherited and tends to be passed down through male members of the family. […] Analysis revealed that an increased risk for stillbirth was passed down through male family members, a trend that had not been seen before and that will help identify genetic risk factors. […] Studying pregnancy provides the opportunity to improve the health of future generations, Workalemahu explains. […] It is also an important step toward identifying specific genes that increase the risk of stillbirth, which could one day lead to better diagnosis and prevention.
#70
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/
A stillbirth is when a baby is born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. It happens in around 1 in every 250 births in England. […] Some stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta, a birth defect or with the mother’s health. For others, no cause is found. […] Not all stillbirths can be prevented, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, such as avoiding drugs and alcohol during pregnancy these can seriously affect your baby’s development, and increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
#71 Intrauterine Fetal Demise – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557533/
Placental abnormalities can also be found in stillbirths without evidence of impaired growth. […] Diabetes increases stillbirth risk up to 5 times. […] Non-Hispanic black women in the U.S. have a higher rate of stillbirth (11 per 1000 births) compared to other racial groups. […] Obesity is an independent risk factor for stillbirth, even after controlling for diabetes, smoking, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. […] The risk of stillbirth is augmented by advanced maternal age due to an increased risk for aneuploidy and medical complications of pregnancy. […] Smoking tobacco increases the risk of stillbirth, both antepartum and intrapartum (15/1000). […] Chronic hypertension increases stillbirth risk 3 times. […] Congenital defects, defined as physical or biochemical abnormalities, occur in 1/33 of pregnancies and are associated with a higher risk of stillbirth.
#72 Stillbirth | nidirect
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/stillbirth
There are a number of things that may increase your risk of having a stillborn baby, including: having twins or a multiple pregnancy, having a baby who doesn’t grow as they should in the womb, being over 35 years of age, smoking, drinking alcohol or misusing drugs while pregnant, being obese having a body mass index above 30, having a pre-existing physical health condition, such as epilepsy. […] If a baby is smaller than expected or their growth pattern tails off as the pregnancy continues, it may be because the placenta isn’t working properly. This increases the risk of stillbirth. […] Not all stillbirths can be prevented, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, such as: not smoking, avoiding alcohol and drugs during pregnancy these can seriously affect your baby’s development and increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
#73 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
Fetal growth restriction is associated with a significant increase in the risk of stillbirth. The most severely affected fetuses (weight less than the 2.5th percentile) are at greatest risk. […] Placental abruption is identified as the cause of stillbirth in 5-10% of cases. Maternal cocaine and other illicit drug use, and smoking tobacco, are all significant contributors to abruption and stillbirth. […] An abnormal karyotype can be found in approximately 6-13% of stillbirths. The rate of karyotypic abnormalities exceeds 20% in fetuses with anatomic abnormalities or in those with growth restriction, but the rate of chromosomal anomalies found in normally formed fetuses was found to be 4.6% in one large series. […] Infection is associated with approximately 10-20% of stillbirths in developed countries and a greater percentage in developing countries. In developed countries, infection accounts for a greater percentage of preterm stillbirths than of term stillbirths. Infectious pathogens may result in stillbirth by producing direct fetal infection, placental dysfunction, severe maternal illness, or by stimulating spontaneous preterm birth. […] Umbilical cord abnormalities account for approximately 10% of stillbirths but this diagnosis should be made with caution.
#74 Stillbirth – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillbirth
A pregnant woman sleeping on her back after 28 weeks of pregnancy may be a risk factor for stillbirth. […] After a stillbirth there is a 2.5% risk of another stillbirth in the next pregnancy (an increase from 0.4%). […] In the United States, highest rates of stillbirths happen in pregnant women who are of low socioeconomic status, are aged 35 years or older, have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc., are African-American, have previously lost a pregnancy, have multiple children at a time (twins, triplets, etc.).
#75 Reducing the risk of stillbirth | The Royal Women’s Hospital
https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/pregnancy-and-birth/a-healthy-pregnancy/reducing-the-risk-of-stillbirth
Stillbirth is the term used for the death of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy and before or during birth. […] There can be a number of reasons why a baby is stillborn however sometimes a cause cannot be found. In Australia, the major causes of stillbirth are infection, the health of the mother, bleeding, a premature labour that cannot be stopped or an abnormality with the developing baby. […] Around one-quarter of stillbirths cannot be explained and up to half of stillbirths happen close to full-term. […] Smoking in pregnancy is one of the main causes of stillbirth. […] By smoking during pregnancy, you increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, premature birth, Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI including SIDS), low birth weight and breathing problems. […] Research shows that from 28 weeks of pregnancy there is a link between the position that a mother goes to sleep in and stillbirth.
#76 Stillbirth: Causes And Risk Factors – Dr Pankhuri Gautam
https://www.drpankhurigautam.com/blog/stillbirth-causes-and-risk-factors/
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking and Substance Abuse: Smoking, drugs, and alcohol during pregnancy increase the risk of stillbirth. […] Poor Nutrition and Diet: A lack of essential nutrients negatively affects the babys development, increasing the risk of stillbirth. […] External Factors: Accidents and Trauma: Physical trauma or accidents during pregnancy, such as falls or car accidents, can cause harm to the baby, leading to stillbirth due to complications like placental abruption. […] Environmental Exposures: Exposure to toxins and pollutants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, air pollution, and secondhand smoke, can negatively impact foetal development and increase the risk of stillbirth.
#77 Stillbirth | nidirect
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/stillbirth
There are a number of things that may increase your risk of having a stillborn baby, including: having twins or a multiple pregnancy, having a baby who doesn’t grow as they should in the womb, being over 35 years of age, smoking, drinking alcohol or misusing drugs while pregnant, being obese having a body mass index above 30, having a pre-existing physical health condition, such as epilepsy. […] If a baby is smaller than expected or their growth pattern tails off as the pregnancy continues, it may be because the placenta isn’t working properly. This increases the risk of stillbirth. […] Not all stillbirths can be prevented, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, such as: not smoking, avoiding alcohol and drugs during pregnancy these can seriously affect your baby’s development and increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
#78 Stillbirth: Incidence, risk factors, etiology, and prevention – UpToDate
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/stillbirth-incidence-risk-factors-etiology-and-prevention
Stillbirth: Incidence, risk factors, etiology, and prevention […] The incidence, risk factors, and etiology of stillbirth, as well as strategies for prevention, will be reviewed here. […] POTENTIAL ETIOLOGIES […] Congenital anomalies […] Fetal growth restriction […] Infection […] Genetic abnormalities […] Placental abruption […] Hydrops fetalis […] Umbilical cord abnormalities […] Placental abnormalities […] Fetomaternal hemorrhage […] RISK FACTORS […] Previous stillbirth […] Previous adverse pregnancy outcome […] Comorbid chronic medical disorders […] Diabetes […] Hypertensive disorders […] Substance use […] Acquired and inherited thrombophilias […] Obesity […] Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy […] Uterine abnormalities […] Assisted reproductive technology […] Fetal factors […] Multiple gestation […] Male sex […] Platelet alloimmunization […] Postterm pregnancy […] STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION OF RECURRENT STILLBIRTH […] Thorough evaluation for the cause of the first stillbirth.
#79 Intrauterine Fetal Demise (Stillbirth) | Birth Injury Center
https://birthinjurycenter.org/types-of-birth-injuries/intrauterine-fetal-demise/
Maternal Infections. Examples of maternal infections that can be dangerous to the fetus and possibly cause IUFD include certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV and syphilis and serious illnesses such as malaria. […] Chronic Maternal Illness. Pregnant women with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, or other chronic medical conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing intrauterine fetal death. […] Small Fetus Size or Restricted Growth. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) in pregnancy makes stillbirth seven times more likely to happen. […] Complicated Birth. While many deliveries happen safely, sometimes unexpected complications arise. […] Congenital Birth Defects. Frequently defined as structural or functional anomalies, one in every five stillborn fetuses has birth defects.
#80 Management of Stillbirth | ACOG
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2020/03/management-of-stillbirth
Stillbirth is one of the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes, occurring in 1 in 160 deliveries in the United States. In developed countries, the most prevalent risk factors associated with stillbirth are non-Hispanic black race, nulliparity, advanced maternal age, obesity, preexisting diabetes, chronic hypertension, smoking, alcohol use, having a pregnancy using assisted reproductive technology, multiple gestation, male fetal sex, unmarried status, and past obstetric history. […] The study of specific causes of stillbirth has been hampered by the lack of uniform protocols to evaluate and classify stillbirths and by decreasing autopsy rates. In any specific case, it may be difficult to assign a definite cause to a stillbirth. A significant proportion of stillbirths remains unexplained even after a thorough evaluation. Evaluation of a stillbirth should include fetal autopsy; gross and histologic examination of the placenta, umbilical cord, and membranes; and genetic evaluation.
#81 Table: Some Causes of and Risk Factors for Stillbirth-Merck Manual Professional Edition
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/multimedia/table/some-causes-of-and-risk-factors-for-stillbirth
Some Causes of and Risk Factors for Stillbirth […] Maternal […] Preeclampsia or eclampsia […] Trauma […] Acquired thrombotic disorders […] Diabetes mellitus if uncontrolled […] Thyroid disorders […] Morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] 40 kg/m2) […] Substance misuse […] Tobacco use […] Sepsis […] Black race […] Age (adolescents or 35 years) […] Placental […] Placental abruption […] Intraamniotic infection (chorioamnionitis) […] Fetomaternal hemorrhage […] Twin-twin transfusion […] Umbilical cord accidents (eg, prolapse, knots) […] Uteroplacental vascular insufficiency […] Vasa previa […] Fetal […] Chromosomal abnormalities […] Single-gene disorders […] Major congenital malformations (particularly of the heart or brain) […] Alloimmune thrombocytopenia […] Fetal alloimmune or inherited anemia […] Nonimmune hydrops fetalis […] Multiple gestation […] Infection
#82 Stillbirth | March of Dimes
https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/miscarriage-loss-grief/stillbirth
Fetal growth restriction […] Not getting enough oxygen during labor and birth […] Rh disease. Rh factor is a protein on the surface of red blood cells. Rh disease happens when a person who doesnt have the protein (called Rh-negative) is pregnant with a baby who does have the protein (called Rh-positive). Rh disease can be prevented.
#83 Stillbirth: Incidence, risk factors, etiology, and prevention – UpToDate
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/late-fetal-death-and-stillbirth-incidence-etiology-and-prevention
Stillbirth: Incidence, risk factors, etiology, and prevention […] The incidence, risk factors, and etiology of stillbirth, as well as strategies for prevention, will be reviewed here. […] Potential etiologies include congenital anomalies, fetal growth restriction, infection, genetic abnormalities, placental abruption, hydrops fetalis, umbilical cord abnormalities, placental abnormalities, and fetomaternal hemorrhage. […] Thorough evaluation for the cause of the first stillbirth is essential.
#84 Causes and risk factors for singleton stillbirth in Japan: Analysis of a nationwide perinatal database, 2013â2014 | Scientific Reports
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-22546-9
This study examined singleton stillbirth in Japan using a nationwide perinatal database between 2013 and 2014. Our study found that the cause of death remained unknown in about one third of stillbirths with low rates of autopsy and placental examination. We also found that while small-sized infants and nulliparous women had a significantly increased risk of stillbirth, other well-known clinical risk factors for perinatal mortality, such as maternal overweight/obesity, PIH and oligohydramnios, had no or even protective effect on stillbirth risk. […] Identifying a single direct cause of stillbirth is difficult in many cases and uncertainty may exist even after a full investigation. Nevertheless, investigating why and how it occurred is an important process for both physicians and families experiencing the trauma of stillbirth. It may reveal conditions that may predispose families to recurrent stillbirth and help better prepare for future pregnancies, and assist families to come to terms with lost pregnancies.
#85 Stillbirth: Definition, causes, and recovery
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/stillbirth
In fewer than 1 in 10 cases of stillbirth, research has suggested that an underlying condition, such as diabetes, has been the cause. […] According to the Star Legacy Foundation, 25% of all stillbirths in the U.S. are preventable today. This figure rises to 47% of stillbirths after 37 weeks of pregnancy. […] Many factors related to health inequity and racism such as a history of stress or trauma and poor access to care increase the risk of stillbirth occurring.
#86 Her Child Was Stillborn. She Blames a System That Doesnât Always Listen to Mothers. â ProPublica
https://www.propublica.org/article/stillbirths-prevention-infant-mortality
Every year more than 20,000 pregnancies in the U.S. result in a stillbirth, but not all of these tragedies were inevitable. As many as one in four stillbirths are potentially preventable. […] The deaths are not inevitable. One study found that nearly one in four U.S. stillbirths may be preventable. For pregnancies that last 37 weeks or more, that research shows, the figure jumps to nearly half. Thousands more babies could potentially be delivered safely every year. […] Federal agencies have not prioritized critical stillbirth-focused studies that could lead to fewer deaths. […] Unlike with SIDS, a leading cause of infant death, federal officials have failed to launch a national campaign to reduce the risk of stillbirth or adequately raise awareness about it. […] Federal agencies, state health departments, hospitals and doctors have also done a poor job of educating expectant parents about stillbirth or diligently counseling on fetal movement, despite research showing that patients who have had a stillbirth are more likely to have experienced abnormal fetal movements, including decreased activity.
#87 Stillbirth: Trying to Understand | American Pregnancy Association
https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/pregnancy-loss/stillborn-trying-to-understand/
Infections: Bacterial infections between 24 and 27 weeks gestation can cause fetal deaths. […] Other infrequent causes of stillbirth include: umbilical cord accidents, trauma, maternal diabetes, high blood pressure and postdate pregnancy (a pregnancy that lasts longer than 42 weeks). […] Unfortunately, despite efforts to find out why, the cause can not be determined in about one-third of stillbirths. […] Improvements in medicine have decreased the number of stillbirths. Today women with high-risk pregnancies are carefully monitored through routine ultrasounds and/or fetal heart rate monitoring. If potential problems are identified, early delivery may be necessary. […] If you have had a previous stillbirth, future pregnancies should be monitored closely so that all necessary steps can be taken to prevent another pregnancy loss.
#88 What Causes Stillbirth? Placenta Problems, Infection & MoreCloseleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowleft-arrowCloseReconfirm cookies choice
https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/stillbirth-information-and-support/causes-stillbirth
Sometimes the placenta can separate from the womb before the baby is born. This is called placental abruption. It can lead to stillbirth because the placenta that has separated from the womb is not working as it should. […] Pre-eclampsia is a condition that occurs typically after 20 weeks of pregnancy and causes high blood pressure and protein in urine. […] 4.2% of stillbirths happened because of an intrauterine (womb) infection. […] Reduced fetal movements is not a cause of stillbirth but it is one of the signs that a baby may not be getting enough food or oxygen. […] There are some other conditions that have been linked to stillbirth: intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis â a liver disorder that can affect pregnancy, pre-existing diabetes, gestational diabetes, genetic defect in the baby (the reason for around 10% of stillbirths), excessive blood loss (haemorrhage) before or during labour, issues with the umbilical cord â the cord can come out of the entrance of the womb before the baby is born (cord prolapse), be wrapped around the baby or become knotted, premature birth â when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. […] Without more research, we will never know why so many babies die before birth. Tommyâs Manchester Research Centre is focused on learning more about the main causes of stillbirth and how it can be prevented.
#89 What to Know About Stillbirths â ProPublica
https://www.propublica.org/article/what-to-know-about-stillbirths
The cause of the stillbirth is unknown in about 1 in 3 cases. […] Not all stillbirths are preventable, but some are. For pregnancies that last 37 weeks or more, one study found that nearly half of stillbirths are potentially preventable. […] The risk of a stillbirth increases significantly toward the end of pregnancy, especially after 39 weeks. The risk is higher for people who get pregnant at 35 or older. […] Black women are more than twice as likely to have a stillbirth as white women. There are a number of possible explanations for that disparity, including institutional bias and structural racism, and a patients pre-pregnancy health, socioeconomic status and access to health care. […] The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has compiled a list of tests and techniques doctors can use to try to reduce the risk of a stillbirth. They include: A risk assessment to identify prenatal needs. A nonstress test, which checks the fetus’s heart rate and how it changes as the fetus moves. A biophysical profile, which is done with an ultrasound to measure body movement, muscle tone and breathing, along with amniotic fluid volume. […] Researchers are looking at the best way to measure the health, blood flow and size of the placenta, but studies are still in their early stages.
#90 Understanding Stillbirth: Causes, Prevention, and Support: Garden OBGYN: Obstetrics
https://www.gardenobgyn.com/blog/understanding-stillbirth-causes-prevention-and-support
Fetal testing, including non-stress tests (NST), biophysical profiles (BPP), and oxytocin challenge tests (OCT), remains the primary method for stillbirth prevention. Abnormal results may indicate placental dysfunction, necessitating closer monitoring and intervention. Stallmach et al. proposed a 70-fold increased risk of stillbirth in cases of placental dysfunction, highlighting the urgency of targeted interventions. […] The SCRN emphasizes the preventability of stillbirth, targeting common causes such as placental insufficiency and maternal complications. By developing tailored strategies for risk assessment and intervention, obstetric practices can significantly reduce stillbirth rates within their patient populations. […] Stillbirth remains a devastating reality for many families, necessitating a multifaceted approach encompassing prevention, specialized care, and ongoing support. By addressing risk factors, implementing targeted interventions, and prioritizing emotional well-being, healthcare providers can strive towards reducing the prevalence of stillbirth and providing compassionate care to affected families.
#91 Prior Stillbirth – Brigham and Women’s Hospital
https://www.brighamandwomens.org/obgyn/maternal-fetal-medicine/pregnancy-complications/prior-stillbirth
At Brigham and Womens Hospital we have a Stillbirth Review Committee, consisting of maternal-fetal medicine specialists, pathologists, genetics and neonatologists who review all stillbirths and make sure that we have the best understanding of why each one occurred. […] The Prior Stillbirth Clinic will make individualized care plans, especially regarding antenatal surveillance and delivery timing, taking into account the reasons for the prior stillbirth and the growth and well-being of the current pregnancy. […] We strive to provide families with prior stillbirth excellent outcomes in future pregnancies, including not only healthy babies but the emotional and social support needed to make it through challenging pregnancies.
#92 What you need to know about stillbirths | UNICEF
https://www.unicef.org/stories/what-you-need-to-know-about-stillbirths
One stillbirth happens every 16 seconds. Thatâs about 2 million babies stillborn every year. What makes these deaths even more tragic is that the majority could have been prevented through quality care during pregnancy and at birth. […] Most stillbirths, about 8 in 10, occur in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. Over 40 per cent of stillbirths occur during labour. The majority of stillbirths can be prevented through quality care during pregnancy and at birth. […] Commonly reported causes of stillbirth include complications during childbirth, haemorrhage before childbirth (including placental abruption), infections and maternal conditions, and pregnancy complications with fetal growth restriction as a common underlying cause. A motherâs health is also linked to causes of stillbirth. An estimated 10 per cent of worldwide stillbirths are the result of obesity, diabetes and hypertension.
#93 Stillbirth | nidirect
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/stillbirth
There are a number of things that may increase your risk of having a stillborn baby, including: having twins or a multiple pregnancy, having a baby who doesn’t grow as they should in the womb, being over 35 years of age, smoking, drinking alcohol or misusing drugs while pregnant, being obese having a body mass index above 30, having a pre-existing physical health condition, such as epilepsy. […] If a baby is smaller than expected or their growth pattern tails off as the pregnancy continues, it may be because the placenta isn’t working properly. This increases the risk of stillbirth. […] Not all stillbirths can be prevented, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, such as: not smoking, avoiding alcohol and drugs during pregnancy these can seriously affect your baby’s development and increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.
#94
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/stillbirth/diagnosis-causes/
There may be other reasons why stillbirth happens. A full investigation with post-mortem and placental examination will usually find a cause. […] A post-mortem examination of your baby is carried out to get as much information as possible about the death of your baby. […] In the majority of cases (around 90%) the full post-mortem examination will provide information that is important in finding out why your baby has died. […] A detailed examination of your placenta is one of the most important investigations to get information about what caused your baby to die. It can give vital information in many cases.
#95 Singleton Stillbirth : Etiology, Labor, Aftercare, and Subsequent Pregnancy
https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/9b3fa665-9e94-4581-9430-4bd04e45e365
Stillbirth is a devastating pregnancy complication, the causes of which are poorly known. Partly because of incomplete postmortem examinations, 10â50% of stillbirths are left unexplained. […] The cause of death, based on the systematic protocol of Helsinki University Hospital, was originally defined and reported as such to parents in 133 cases (62.1%). A reevaluation of the postmortem examination results revealed the cause of death in an additional 43 cases (20.1%). The cause of death in 15 cases (7.0%) was unknown due to incomplete investigations or because the results were not available for analysis. Only 23 cases (10.7%) remained truly unexplained. Placental insufficiency was the most common cause of death (56/214, 26.2%). […] This thesis concluded that the rate of unexplained stillbirth can be reduced by applying a standardized systematic postmortem examination protocol and that the interpretation of the results can be time-consuming and require specific orientation.
#96 Her Child Was Stillborn. She Blames a System That Doesnât Always Listen to Mothers. â ProPublica
https://www.propublica.org/article/stillbirths-prevention-infant-mortality
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the nations leading obstetrics organization, has been slow to update its own guidance to doctors on managing a stillbirth. […] Perhaps its no surprise that federal goals for reducing stillbirths keep moving in the wrong direction. […] The efforts have paid off. The Netherlands, for instance, has reduced its rate of stillbirths at 28 weeks or later by more than half, from 5.2 in 2000 to 2.3 in 2019, according to a study published last year in The Lancet. […] Dr. Bob Silver, chair of the obstetrics/gynecology department at University of Utah Health and a leading stillbirth expert, coauthored the study that estimated nearly one in four stillbirths are potentially preventable, a figure he referred to as conservative. […] Not all stillbirths are preventable, and medical experts agree more research is needed to determine who is most at risk and which babies can potentially be saved.
#97 Genetic Study Reveals Causes of Many Stillbirths | Columbia Magazine
https://magazine.columbia.edu/article/genetic-study-reveals-causes-many-stillbirths
Every year some twenty-four thousand expectant mothers in the US lose their babies in the final stages of pregnancy. For most of these women, the pain of the loss is compounded by a lack of explanations, since more than 60 percent of stillbirths have no known cause. […] In a quest to further understand the causes of stillbirths, Wapner recently joined forces with Columbia geneticist David Goldstein, the founding director of the Institute for Genomic Medicine at CUIMC, to genetically analyze tissue from 246 stillborn fetuses. […] Together, these genetic mutations accounted for about 9 percent of the stillbirths that couldn’t be explained by infections, preeclampsia, and other common pregnancy complications. […] But if we can determine that a fetus didn’t die because of a genetic variation that was passed down from the parents but rather because of a mutation that occurred within the fetus by chance as it was developing, as often seems to be the case, then we can assure them it probably won’t happen again. […] But Wapner and Goldstein anticipate that as future research projects identify more and more genetic mutations capable of disrupting fetal development, genomic sequencing will come to be used more routinely to explain stillbirths and miscarriages.
#98 What to Know About Stillbirths â ProPublica
https://www.propublica.org/article/what-to-know-about-stillbirths
The cause of the stillbirth is unknown in about 1 in 3 cases. […] Not all stillbirths are preventable, but some are. For pregnancies that last 37 weeks or more, one study found that nearly half of stillbirths are potentially preventable. […] The risk of a stillbirth increases significantly toward the end of pregnancy, especially after 39 weeks. The risk is higher for people who get pregnant at 35 or older. […] Black women are more than twice as likely to have a stillbirth as white women. There are a number of possible explanations for that disparity, including institutional bias and structural racism, and a patients pre-pregnancy health, socioeconomic status and access to health care. […] The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has compiled a list of tests and techniques doctors can use to try to reduce the risk of a stillbirth. They include: A risk assessment to identify prenatal needs. A nonstress test, which checks the fetus’s heart rate and how it changes as the fetus moves. A biophysical profile, which is done with an ultrasound to measure body movement, muscle tone and breathing, along with amniotic fluid volume. […] Researchers are looking at the best way to measure the health, blood flow and size of the placenta, but studies are still in their early stages.
#99 Genetic Study Reveals Causes of Many Stillbirths | Columbia Magazine
https://magazine.columbia.edu/article/genetic-study-reveals-causes-many-stillbirths
Every year some twenty-four thousand expectant mothers in the US lose their babies in the final stages of pregnancy. For most of these women, the pain of the loss is compounded by a lack of explanations, since more than 60 percent of stillbirths have no known cause. […] In a quest to further understand the causes of stillbirths, Wapner recently joined forces with Columbia geneticist David Goldstein, the founding director of the Institute for Genomic Medicine at CUIMC, to genetically analyze tissue from 246 stillborn fetuses. […] Together, these genetic mutations accounted for about 9 percent of the stillbirths that couldn’t be explained by infections, preeclampsia, and other common pregnancy complications. […] But if we can determine that a fetus didn’t die because of a genetic variation that was passed down from the parents but rather because of a mutation that occurred within the fetus by chance as it was developing, as often seems to be the case, then we can assure them it probably won’t happen again. […] But Wapner and Goldstein anticipate that as future research projects identify more and more genetic mutations capable of disrupting fetal development, genomic sequencing will come to be used more routinely to explain stillbirths and miscarriages.
#100 What causes stillbirth? What we know (and donât know)
https://naturalwomanhood.org/what-causes-stillbirth/
Problems with the umbilical cord, particularly later in pregnancy (10% of cases) […] High blood pressure, including preeclampsia […] Medical conditions such as diabetes (less than 10% of cases) […] Research published in 2019 suggests that nearly a quarter of stillbirths in the U.S. may be preventable, especially for stillbirths that occur after the onset of labor, as a result of maternal medical complications (like diabetes or high blood pressure), issues with the placenta, pregnancies with multiples, or preterm birth. […] Knowing the right course of action to take can be particularly difficult in pregnancy, when the stakes are high and medical imaging and tests cannot always capture the full picture of what is going on inside the womb. […] While there are steps that can be taken to help decrease the risk of stillbirth, more research is needed to better understand why stillbirths occur, and what can be done to identify risk factors early on.
#101 Singleton Stillbirth : Etiology, Labor, Aftercare, and Subsequent Pregnancy
https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/9b3fa665-9e94-4581-9430-4bd04e45e365
Stillbirth is a devastating pregnancy complication, the causes of which are poorly known. Partly because of incomplete postmortem examinations, 10â50% of stillbirths are left unexplained. […] The cause of death, based on the systematic protocol of Helsinki University Hospital, was originally defined and reported as such to parents in 133 cases (62.1%). A reevaluation of the postmortem examination results revealed the cause of death in an additional 43 cases (20.1%). The cause of death in 15 cases (7.0%) was unknown due to incomplete investigations or because the results were not available for analysis. Only 23 cases (10.7%) remained truly unexplained. Placental insufficiency was the most common cause of death (56/214, 26.2%). […] This thesis concluded that the rate of unexplained stillbirth can be reduced by applying a standardized systematic postmortem examination protocol and that the interpretation of the results can be time-consuming and require specific orientation.
#102 Prior Stillbirth – Brigham and Women’s Hospital
https://www.brighamandwomens.org/obgyn/maternal-fetal-medicine/pregnancy-complications/prior-stillbirth
At Brigham and Womens Hospital we have a Stillbirth Review Committee, consisting of maternal-fetal medicine specialists, pathologists, genetics and neonatologists who review all stillbirths and make sure that we have the best understanding of why each one occurred. […] The Prior Stillbirth Clinic will make individualized care plans, especially regarding antenatal surveillance and delivery timing, taking into account the reasons for the prior stillbirth and the growth and well-being of the current pregnancy. […] We strive to provide families with prior stillbirth excellent outcomes in future pregnancies, including not only healthy babies but the emotional and social support needed to make it through challenging pregnancies.
#103 About Stillbirth | Stillbirth | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/stillbirth/about/index.html
Stillbirth is when a fetus dies in the uterus after 20 weeks of pregnancy. […] CDC works to learn why stillbirths happen and what more can be done. […] CDC does this by tracking how often stillbirth occurs and researching what causes stillbirth. Knowledge about the potential causes of stillbirth can be used to develop recommendations, policies, and services to help prevent stillbirth. […] Health disparities in stillbirth are not rooted in biological or genetic differences between races and ethnicities. These disparities can be attributed to many underlying causes, including access to quality health care, pre-existing health conditions, and structural discrimination. Investigating these disparities is an important part of creating programs to reduce them.
#104
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00404-024-07522-1
In our study, the leading cause of death was attributed to placental pathologies (28%), which were revealed by a post-mortem histopathological examination of the placenta. […] The rate of unexplained stillbirth cases varies widely in the literature. […] In conclusion, the pathophysiological mechanisms of stillbirth have yet to be sufficiently described. In our study, the largest category of cause of death was attributed to placental pathology, with MVM lesions being the most common. A rigorous up-to-date criteria that incorporates pathological findings and clinical reports may help objectively classify the cause of death and lower the cases of unexplained fetal death.