Objective: To determine the time trends and risk factors for intrapartum fetal death (IPFD).
Study design: A case-control study comparing pregnancies with and without IPFD between the years 1988 and 2008 was conducted. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the risk factors for IPFD.
Results: During the study period, 204,102 singleton births were analyzed; of these, 110 IPFD cases occurred. The following independent risk factors were identified: Bedouin ethnicity (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.22-2.8), malpresentations (OR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.71-4.47), gestational age (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.69-0.76), polyhydramnios (OR = 3.49, 95% CI 1.94-6.26), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (OR = 3.18, 95% CI 2.01-5.05), umbilical cord prolapse (OR = 6.64, 95% CI 2.79-15.78), placental abruption (OR = 3.24, 95% CI 1.73-6.04), uterine rupture (OR = 38.59, 95% CI 10.58-140.71) and congenital malformations (OR = 2.41, 95% CI 1.47-3.97). A gradual decline over the years in the rate of IPFD was noted in the Bedouin population. No significant association was noted in the prevalence of IPFD during the weekends as compared to the week days (OR = 0.85; 95% CI 0.54-1.32; P = 0.475).
Conclusion: Independent risk factors for IPFD are preterm birth, malpresentation, polyhydramnios, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, uterine rupture, congenital malformations and Bedouin ethnicity. Weekends do not pose additional risk for the occurrence of IPFD.