stillbirths categorised according to the Extended Wigglesworth classification show the largest proportion of deaths being ascribed to unexplained antepartum fetal deaths (70.7% of all reported stillbirths in 2003)
largest identifiable causes of deaths were:
congenital malformations (15.2% in 2003)
death from intrapartum causes (7.6% in 2003)
deaths classified as unexplained antepartum fetal deaths are then further categorised according to the Obstetric (Aberdeen) classification, which enables a further 18.7% of stillbirths to be assigned to antepartum haemorrhage (8.0% of all stillbirths in 2003), maternal disorder (5.1%), preeclampsia (3.9%) and mechanical complications (1.1%)
in 2003, the deaths of some 1927 stillborn babies (51.9% of all stillbirths reported in 2003) remain unexplained according to the classification systems in use
Reference:
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (April 2005).Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (England and Wales).Stillbirth, neonatal and post-neonatal mortality 2000-2003
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