A nationwide survey of risk factors for stillbirth in Taiwan, 2001-2004
Journal
Pediatrics and Neonatology
Journal Volume
53
Journal Issue
2
Pages
105-111
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nationwide stillbirth rate and explore the potential risk factors associated with stillbirths. Patients and methods: Data from vital registrations during the time period from January 1, 2001 through to December 31, 2004 in Taiwan were used. Stillbirth was defined as fetal death with more than 20 completed weeks' gestational age (GA) or with birth weight more than 500 g if the GA was not known. Results: There were a total of 8481 stillbirths identified nationwide between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2004. The stillbirth rate was nine per 1000 total births in the study period, and the proportionate decline was nearly 48.8% in the most recent decade. There was a significant increase in average maternal age during this period. Advanced maternal age and teenage pregnancy were independent significant risk factors for stillbirths even after accounting for the effects of medical conditions that were more likely to occur among these particular age groups. Those fetuses that had been exposed to cord prolapse, maternal cervical incompetence and oligohydramnios/polyhydramnios were especially vulnerable. By contrast, women who had foreign nationality, fetal ultrasound surveys, fetal heart beat monitoring and hastened parturition were less likely to have stillbirth. Conclusion: The stillbirth rate in Taiwan has remained high despite advancements in medical care. Prenatal evaluation of high risk women may decrease the adverse fetal outcomes. Copyright ? 2012, Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adolescent pregnancy; adult; adverse outcome; amniocentesis; amnion fluid; article; breech presentation; cephalopelvic disproportion; chorion villus sampling; disease association; female; fetus; fetus echography; fetus electrocardiography; fever; human; labor complication; macrosomia; major clinical study; male; malpresentation; maternal age; maternal hypertension; meconium; multiple pregnancy; oligohydramnios; placenta previa; premature fetus membrane rupture; premature labor; rhesus incompatibility; risk assessment; solutio placentae; stillbirth; Taiwan; tocolysis; umbilical cord complication; umbilical cord prolapse; uterine cervix cerclage; uterine cervix incompetence; Adolescent; Adult; Female; Heart Rate, Fetal; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Maternal Age; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Stillbirth; Taiwan; Time Factors
Type
journal article