Hb. Westergaard et al., INTRAPARTUM DEATH OF NONMALFORMED FETUSES IN DENMARK AND SWEDEN IN 1991 - A PERINATAL AUDIT, Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 76(10), 1997, pp. 959-963
Background. In 1991 the rate of intrapartum death of non-malformed fet
uses was higher in Denmark than in Sweden (4.2 vs. 1.9 per 10,000, OR
2.24). However, it is not clear whether this difference reflects poten
tially avoidable cases and/or suboptimal care. Material and methods. S
hort descriptions were made from medical records of all 50 intrapartum
deaths in Denmark and Sweden in 1991. Ten obstetricians, two from eac
h of the Nordic countries, reviewed the cases to determine whether (1)
intra-uterine death might have occurred before admission, (2) surveil
lance and intervention were insufficient, (3) fetal death was potentia
lly avoidable by improved obstetric care; and, if so, to suggest ways
of improved health care. Results. There was a statistically higher rat
e of insufficient care (surveillance and intervention) (high or less d
egree) in the Danish cases (66% vs. 55%). The proportion of potentiall
y avoidable fetal deaths was also higher in Denmark (59% vs. 52%) alth
ough the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion. The
significantly higher rate of intrapartum death of non-malformed infan
ts in 1991 in Denmark compared to Sweden might be reduced by improved
intrapartum surveillance and interventions.