Risk Factors for Stillbirths: A Case-control Study

Introduction: The occurrence of Stillbirths (SBs) is a tragic event faced by the obstetrician and causes great psychological trauma and emotional devastation to the couple and the family. It is estimated that approximately 3.2 million stillbirths occur in the world every year. The SB rate across India is about 20 per 1,000 live births accounting for highest absolute number of stillbirth in the world. Aim: To analyse the risk factors for stillbirths in a tertiary teaching centre in northern India. Materials and Methods: Sample size was calculated to be 150. In the study institution, nearly 600 stillbirths occur annually and since the required sample size was 150, every 4th woman delivering a stillbirth was included as case and the live birth matched for gestational age consecutive to the case was taken as control. All babies of the study and control group were examined by the neonatologist. Mothers of all babies were interviewed through a stillbirth review proforma (by WHO apps SEARO) within 24 hours of delivery. Qualitative data analysis was done by chi-square test and quantitative data by using t-test. The p-value 30 years, maternal BMI >25 kg/m2 , antenatal checkups