Stillbirth
Key points
- A stillbirth is when a fetus dies during birth, or when the fetus dies during the late stages of pregnancy when it would have been otherwise expected to survive.
- Stillbirths may be due to injuries, illnesses (such as toxemia), infections, or catastrophic events (such as hemorrhage or cardiac arrest) in the mother or child.
- Birth defects and growth abnormalities of the fetus also can occur.
- Uterine factors (such as placental detachment, placental obstruction, or restricted uterine growth) can prove dangerous to the fetus.
Definition
A stillbirth is when a fetus dies during birth, or when the fetus dies during the late stages of pregnancy when it would have been otherwise expected to survive.
Stillbirths may be due to injuries, illnesses (such as toxemia), infections, or catastrophic events (such as hemorrhage or cardiac arrest) in the mother or child. Birth defects and growth abnormalities of the fetus also can occur. Uterine factors (such as placental detachment, placental obstruction, or restricted uterine growth) can prove dangerous to the fetus. See Miscarriage.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
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