Still births in northern india – An institutional based prospective study

Background: Global decline in ante partum fetal deaths has been cited in many countries, but the count still remains high in low income and developing countries. In this scenario, precise knowledge of the cause of death is needed as the basis for counseling, prevention and treatment of the problem. A cross sectional observational prospective study was conducted from April2013- April 14 in the Department of Community medicine in collaboration with Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Govt Medical College and Hospital Sec 32,Chandigarh. Objectives: To find the incidence of still birth and to compare the difference in incidence of stillbirths in the patients referred from outside GMCH-32 vs those receiving care in the institute. Also to study the medical etiology of the stillbirths in reference to the varied determinants of still births. Material and Methods: The sample comprised of antenatal mothers who were visiting the hospital for antenatal care/ referred from outside for delivery of child and gave birth to still birth. The ethical approval for the research study was taken from the ethical committee of the institute. Results: In the study period of 1 year, of the total 5969 deliveries, around 247 women had stillbirth. Majority of women were in age group 19-25 yrs followed by that in 26-35yrs. The most common cause for still birth came out to be hypertension, 58(23.4). Conclusion: A well established protocol for the investigation of still birth should be there in all tertiary care hospitals and referral.