Stillbirth
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A stillbirth happens when a fetus (unborn baby) dies while still inside the mother or dies during delivery (childbirth). It is said that the delivered baby is stillborn. Stillbirth is different from a miscarriage because a stillbirth happens after the baby has been living inside its mother 20 to 24 weeks (depending on the country). It is called a miscarriage if the baby lived inside the mother for less time.
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[edit] Causes
The causes of many stillbirths are unknown, even when autopsies are done on the baby. Some possible causes include:
- bacterial infection
- birth defects
- diabetes or high blood pressure in the mother
- nicotine, alcohol, or drugs taken by the mother during pregnancy
- physical trauma
- radiation poisoning
- Rh disease
- umbilical cord problems
[edit] Occurrence
The number of stillbirths in the United States is about 1 in 115 births, which is about 26,000 a year, or one every 20 minutes. In developing countries, where medical care is not as advanced or good, the number of stillbirths is higher.
In Australia, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the rate is about 1 in 200 babies. .[1]
[edit] Legal definitions of stillbirth
[edit] United Kingdom
In the UK, any baby that leaves its mother's body after 24 weeks and doesn't show any signs of life is called a stillbirth. The parent(s) must register the baby and a Stillbirth Certificate is given to the parent(s). [2]
[edit] Australia
In Australia, any stillborn fetus that weighs more than 400 grams and lived in the mother for more than 20 weeks must be registered.
[edit] United States
The United States does not have a formal definition of stillborn babies. [3] All pregnancies are legally called either: live birth, fetal death, or induced termination of prgnancy (abortion). The law does not have a difference between a stillbirth and a miscarriage. However, it is recommended to register infants who weighed over 350 grams or who lived over 19 weeks inside the mother before dying.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Wisconsin Stillbirth Service Program (WiSSP), a branch of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Clinical Genetics Center. One of the foremost authorities on the causes of stillbirth and responsible for many stillbirth evaluation protocols, including the widespread use of the Kleihauer-Betke test in deciding whether Rh disease is to blame for a stillbirth.
- First-person story of one woman's journey through stillbirth
[edit] Footnotes and references
- ↑ Gordon, Adrienne (Dr). Department of Neonatal Medicine Protocol Book: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Retrieved on 2006-09-13.
- ↑ Guide to registering stillbirths in the UK
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State Definitions and Reporting Requirements, 1997 Revision, National Center for Health Statistics.
- Pregnancy Institute founded by Dr. Jason H. Collins, OB/GYN specializes in umbilical cord research
- March of Dimes: Quick reference and fact sheet
- Investigating perinatal death: a review of the options when autopsy consent is refused.
- Stillbirth at h2g2 - written by a bereaved mother
