Abstract: Background: Intrauterine foetal demise or still birth refers to an antepartum or intrapartum foetal death occurring after 20 weeks of gestation. The majority of these deaths would probably be prevented with better access to expert healthcare and providing health education to the women.
Aims: To find out the associated risk factors for antepartum intra uterine foetal demise and determine the probable cause of antepartum foetal demise
Materials& methods: This is a prospective study conducted at R.L JALAPPA Hospital attached to Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Tamaka, Kolar included all antepartum intrauterine foetal demises after 24 weeks of gestation between January 2021 to December 2022.
Results: In the present study, the maternal causes of intrauterine foetal demise, hypertensive disorders contributed to 46.65% followed by anaemia. Amongst the foetal factors, foetal growth restriction seen in 26.6%. Statistically significant difference was found between birth weight and gestational age, attributing to the foetal growth restriction. In placental causes abruption placenta accounted for 15.23% and idiopathic constituted 26.7%. Decreased perception of foetal movements was seen in majority of the cases.
Conclusion: Finding the causes of IUFD will enable the development of a successful prevention strategy, preventing maternal problems in the process. Good antenatal care and detection of risk factors like preeclampsia, anaemia, FGR, congenital malformations are necessary to plan the next level of management. Not only that a potential life is lost, mothers experiencing intrauterine foetal demises suffer psycho-social consequences like anxiety, depression, stress disorders and stigmatization and also the future prospects of fertility and pregnancy outcome becomes one the major concerns for them, DC.
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