Evaluation of obstetric outcomes and risk factors of early late and term stillbirths

Abstract

Objective: Stillbirth is defined as the death or loss of the fetus before or during birth in pregnancies over the 20th week of gestation. The aim of our study is to determine the risk factors for stillbirth and to compare the obstetric and maternal outcomes of early, late and term stillbirth cases. Methods: Our retrospective case-control study included pregnant women, between the ages of 18 and 45, who had a stillbirth over the 20th week of gestation, between February 1, 2015 and June 31, 2023. Patients were compared considering of demographic characteristics and obstetric outcomes. Results: Parity≥3 (OR 0.34; 95% CI: 0.15–0.78. p = 0.011), abruptio placentae (OR 0.29; 95% CI: 0.04–0.51, p = 0.009), preterm birth (OR 0.35; 95% CI: 0.16–0.74, p = 0.006), LBW (OR 0.09; 95% CI: 0.04–0.23, p = 0.001), oligohydramnios OR 0.16; 95% CI: 0.03–0.27, p = 0.001) were associated with stillbirth in multivariate analysis. The caesarean section rate and the presence of small for gestational age were found to be statistically lower in the early group. (p=0.01, p=0.029 respectively).The presence of breech presentation was found to be statistically significantly lower in the term group (p=0.0001). Conclusion: Risk factors associated with stillbirth include preterm birth, low birth weight, abruptio placentae, oligohydramnios and parity 3 and above. When early, late and term groups were compared, the caesarean section rate and the presence of small for gestational age were found to be statistically lower in stillbirths under 28 weeks.