SUDDEN FETAL DEATH SYNDROME

Objective. To study the causes of intrauterine fetal hypoxia and to elaborate measures to reduce antenatal stillbirth rates. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of 695 labor histories with the symptoms with intrauterine fetal hypoxia, which had resulted in antenatal death in 2008—2009, was done in the obstetric facilities subordinated to the Moscow Healthcare Department. A prospective analysis and a comprehensive follow-up of pregnant women in their third trimester were made. Results. The causes of intrauterine hypoxia were found in 665 (96%) patients and no causes of intrauterine fetal distress could be established in 30 (4%) patients even after a detailed examination. We first introduced the term «sudden fetal death syndrome» that means fetal death occurring without obvious clinical manifestations of intrauterine hypoxia, the causes of which were not found even by a postmortem study. Fetal telecardiomonitoring is recommended to reduce antenatal stillbirths. Conclusion. Measures to diagnose hypoxia of a fetus will make it possible to timely detect deterioration in its health status and to define a management strategy for pregnancy and labor, thus ensuring a further reduction in perinatal losses.

perinatal mortality, antenatal stillbirth rates, antenatal mortality, sudden fetal death syndrome