Antenatal deaths
Among the antepartum stillbirths, cause of death was unspecified according to the ICD-PM for 40% (68/170) of cases (Table 3). Five were associated with maternal deaths, with three of these secondary to puerperal sepsis, one secondary to fulminant liver failure and one secondary to liver and renal failure resulting from severe preeclampsia. 53% of antenatal stillbirths were not associated with a documented concurrent maternal condition (Table 3). 25% (n=43) of cases were associated with low birthweight and among this group, there was also a co-existing hypertensive disorder in 28% of cases (n=12/43). Maternal infection was present in 19 (11%) antenatal stillbirths, with 53% (n=10/19) of the fetuses showing signs of congenital syphilis. There were 19 cases of antepartum hypoxia, most of which were associated with complications of the placenta, cord and membranes (n=12/19), with nine secondary to placental abruption and the remainder to trauma. Four deaths were due to termination of pregnancy via maternal use of misoprostol at between 20 and 37 weeks estimated gestation.