Stillbirth rates in singleton pregnancies in a stable population at Karl Bremer and Tygerberg hospitals over 50 years
Date
2013-09-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
Objectives. To determine the changes in stillbirth rates in singleton pregnancies in a stable population over a period of 50 years.
Methods. Stillbirth rates for singleton pregnancies where the fetus weighed 1 000 g or more were collected from 1962 to 2011. From 1972 to 2011, rates included fetuses weighing 500 g or more at birth.
Results. When the birth weight was 1 000 g or more the stillbirth rate declined from 70 to 12.6 per 1 000 births, and when the birth weight was 500 g or more it dropped from 34.2 to 24.5. The decline was very much slower towards the end of the study period.
Conclusion. To achieve further sustained reductions in stillbirth rates, healthcare workers should continue to emphasise quality of healthcare, but they should also address and prevent specific conditions associated with stillbirth, such as smoking and drinking during pregnancy.
Description
CITATION: Odendaal, H. J., Gebhardt, G. S. & Theron, G. B. 2013. Stillbirth rates in singleton pregnancies in a stable population at Karl Bremer and Tygerberg hospitals over 50 years. South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 19(3):67-70, doi:10.7196/SAJOG.662.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajog.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.sajog.org.za
Keywords
Stillbirth
Citation
Odendaal, H. J., Gebhardt, G. S. & Theron, G. B. 2013. Stillbirth rates in singleton pregnancies in a stable population at Karl Bremer and Tygerberg hospitals over 50 years. South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 19(3):67-70, doi:10.7196/SAJOG.662.