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Background and purpose: Around three million fetuses lose their life before birth each year. Recognizing the risk factors of these deaths could help in controlling and preventing at least a number of them. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors for uterine deaths. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 225 cases of fetus uterine deaths aged >20 week that occurred in Mashhad Ghaem Hospital during 2011-2014. Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire in three parts (maternal, fetal and placenta characteristics). We investigated the epidemiologic information, diagnostic and therapeutic measures, and the process of disease before death including fetal, maternal, membrane and placental characteristics. Then influencing factors and causes of deaths were examined in a specialized committee. Results: The main risk factors for fetal death included idiopathic (86 cases, 38.2%), fetal (83, 36.9%), placental and umbilical cord (29, 12%), and maternal (27, 12%). The most prevalent maternal disease during pregnancy was hypertension (21.3%). Unclassified abnormalities (15 cases, 7.4%) and neural tube defects (14, 6.9%) were found more in dead fetuses. Placenta was reported unusual in 84 cases (37.3%). Conclusion: Controlling and appropriate treatment of maternal diseases in pregnancy, early detection and proper treatment of congenital anomalies, placenta and membranes problems could be of great benefit in reducing the rate of fetal death. Also, consulting and training programs for mothers who are more at risk during pregnancy, applying therapeutic interventions and proper management of delivery can be helpful.

Keywords: Fetal death, risk factors, congenital abnormalities

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