Intrauterine Fetal Demise - A Tragic Event: An Approach to its Epidemiology, Causes and Methods of Induction

Background: Fetal death is a tragedy that causes parents and caregivers great grief. The majority of newborns are born healthy, but occasionally something goes wrong and a baby dies while still in the womb. The goal of this study was to learn more about the incidence, epidemiology, and aetiology of intrauterine foetal death. In addition, the efficacy of misoprostol and dinoprostone as inducing agents in these situations should be investigated.

The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were noted. Induction delivery interval of inducing agents was compared.

Results: At our centre, the rate of IUFD was found to be 50 per 1000 deliveries. The primary causes were unbooked cases, primigravidas, and preterm with abruption, which had a significant frequency in low socioeconomic strata. In these circumstances, misoprostol was proven to be more successful at terminating the pregnancy. Misoprostol had a 9.64-hour induction delivery interval, while dinoprostone had a 12.63-hour induction delivery interval.

Conclusions: Many causes of intrauterine deaths are preventable, such as abruption hypertensive disorders, which can be avoided with proper antenatal care. Socio-demographic factors such as low socioeconomic status, teenage pregnancy, poor nutrition, and a lack of health education should be considered as predisposing factors for prenatal deaths. Misoprostol is less expensive and has a shorter induction delivery interval; it can be used safely in IUFD instances.