Analysis of relevant risk factors for intrauterine death of fetuses in the third trimester of pregnancy

ABSTRACT

Our study aimed to explore the relevant risk factors for intrauterine death of fetuses in the third trimester of pregnancy via a retrospective analysis. Then, 98 pregnant women with intrauterine death of fetuses in the third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled, who had undergone the induced labor of dead fetuses in our hospital from January, 2013 to January, 2015. By taking their disease conditions into considerations, methods of induced labor as softening of cervix with dinoprostone suppositories and amniotic infusion of ethacridine or oxytocin were performed, and the timely cesarean section for termination of pregnancy was performed. After the treatment, a detailed medical history was recorded, including their family history, past history and conditions of this pregnancy. Besides, autopsy of dead fetuses and pathological examinations were performed as well as chromosome examinations of the placenta, the umbilical cord and the fetal membrane in an attempt to identify the relevant factors for causes of death, so as to do a good job in the post-natal consultation. The induced labor procedures were successfully performed on all pregnant women, and the investigation of causes of intrauterine death showed that placental factors were responsible for the largest proportion of all causes of intrauterine death in single [28 patients], which was 31.82%, including 13 patients with placenta praevia and 13 with placental abruption. The secondary factors were umbilical cord factors, accounting for 30.68%. Among the factors of pregnant women, gestational hypertension occurred in 7 patients, accounting for 58.33% of factors of pregnant women. While among the causes of intrauterine death in twins, umbilical cord factors were found to be the main causes of death, accounting for 30.00%, followed by placental factors and factors of pregnant women, which accounted for 20.00%, respectively. Placenta factors, umbilical cord factors and factors of pregnant women were the main causes of intrauterine death of fetuses in the third trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, pregnancy tests on time for routine screening is recommended for pregnant women so as to identify the potential risk factors in time and actively carry out symptomatic treatment, thereby reducing the chances of intrauterine death of fetuses and improving the qualities of pregnancy. It is worth clinical attention