Intra uterine fetal death at Benghazi Medical Centre, 2019-2021

Introduction:  Intra Uterine Fetal Death (IUFD) is tragic event for the parents and obstetrician. Identification of causes of IUFD will be helpful in counseling of parents as well as for formulating preventive measures. Aim: To study the causes of Intra Uterine Fetal Death (IUFD) and associated complications. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study include all medical records of all women admitted for delivery in the obstetrics and gynecology department at Benghazi medical center (BMC), who had intra uterine fetal death, from 1st of Jan 2019- to 1st of Dec.2021. Results: The study included 184 patients who had IUFD admitted to hospital during 3years period, in 2019, there were 14,107 delivery 105 of them was IUFD, live with rate 7.5/1000 live births during 2020 there were 14,593 deliveries in the hospital and 47 was IUFD with rate 3.2/1000 live births and in 2021 there were 12298 delivery 32was IUFD, with rate 2.6/1000 live birth and the rate in 3 yearswas4.5/1000live birth. Age of mothers ranged between 14 and 47years with mean 31.6±6.4years. Pregnancy was spontaneous in 98.4% and assisted in 1.6%. Booking was recorded in 96.7%. ANC follow up was regular in 81.5%. Majority (82.1%) of patients was healthy. Neonatal death was recorde in previous delivery in 2.7% and 0.5% fetal death. Type of termination of pregnancy 76.1% vaginal delivery and 23.9% by C/S. More than half (64.7%) unexplained cause of death, 10.9% due to placental cause, 9.2% maternal cause, 5.4% fetal cause, 6.4% due to problem in the cord and 3.3% due to thick meconium. Majority of mothers had good outcome and discharged well. Recommendations: Identify the pregnant at risk, screening, the treatment of diseases during pregnancy and encourage early and sufficient visits are necessary in view of reducing prevalence of fetal death in our community. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved in such maternal factors in order to develop preventative strategies.