Stillbirth rate at an emerging tertiary health institution in Enugu, southeast Nigeria
Ezugwu, E.C.; Onah, H.E.; Ezegwui, H.U.; Nnaji, C.
International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 115(2): 164-166
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7292 PMID: 21872234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.05.028Document Number: 228346
To determine the stillbirth rate and factors predisposing to a stillbirth delivery at a teaching hospital in Nigeria, with the aim of identifying solutions. A descriptive study of all stillbirths delivered at Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Nigeria between January 1 and December 31, 2009. The sociodemographic characteristics of the mothers were documented and the possible causes of death were analyzed. There were 153 stillbirths and 2064 total deliveries, giving a stillbirth rate of 74 per 1000 deliveries. Of the stillbirths, 52.3% were fresh and 47.7% were macerated. Women who had not received prenatal care had a significantly higher stillbirth rate (P<0.05). The most likely cause of a macerated stillbirth was a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, whereas the likely causes of fresh stillbirths were labor-related. The "3 levels of delay" and injudicious use of oxytocin in labor contributed to the intrapartum stillbirths (P<0.05). The stillbirth rate recorded in the study institution is unacceptably high. Appropriate prenatal care, timely intervention, and prompt and appropriate intrapartum care are key to achieving a reduction in the stillbirth rate.
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