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.