Background: The objective of the present study was to examine the etiological factors, both maternal and fetal, that caused IUFD.
Methods: It was a hospital based prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Jhalawar Medical College from January 2020 to December 2020. 120 cases of IUFD of ?24 weeks of gestation or foetuses weighing ?500 gramswere included in the study.
Results: The incidence of IUFD was 37.8/1000 total birth. IUFD occurredmainly in 25-35yrs age group (55%), unbooked cases (70%),multigravida (59.2%), preterm (<37 weeks of gestation). The risk factors were PIH (49.2%), infections (9.2%), hypothyroidism (5%), Rh negative with hydrops fetalis (5%),GDM (4.2%), chronic hypertension (2.5%), previous H/O LBW (2.5%), H/O prior stillbirth (5%), hyperthyroidism (1.7%), oligohydramnios (46.7%), APH (20.8%) and congenital fetal anomalies (19.2%).
Conclusion: IUFD rate still remains high. Therefore, regular ANC check up and early identification of risk factors like PIH, anaemia, infections, genetic counselling and timely referral to well equipped centre may help prevent IUFD and maternal mortality and morbidity.
Keywords: IUFD, ANC, Preterm