The Apparently Stillborn Infant: Risk Factors, Incidence, and Neonatal Outcome

ABSTRACT

We evaluated neonatal outcomes of apparently stillborn infants. The apparently stillborn neonate is born with an unexpected Apgar score of 0 at 1 minute and is subsequently successfully resuscitated. A retrospective cohort study was performed using electronic medical records for neonates >24 weeks' gestation born between 2002 and 2007. Adverse outcome was defined by the presence of seizures, encephalopathy, or death prior to hospital discharge. Differences in maternal demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between neonates with and without adverse outcomes at varying hospital settings. Ninety-three neonates were identified as apparently stillborn. Adverse outcomes occurred in 31.2% of neonates; 83.9% survived from birth to hospital discharge. Neonates with a 5-minute Apgar score <4 were significantly more likely to suffer an adverse outcome. Survival of the apparent stillborn is likely. In this cohort, neither mode of delivery nor hospital acuity level predicted outcome.

KEYWORDS

Apgar - apparently stillborn - neonatal resuscitation - obstetrical outcome

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