ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Fetal intrauterine death constitutes a frequent problem in obstetric practice. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency and to identify risk factors of fetal death at Reference General Hospital of Kamina. METHODS: The study was done in two times. First, a cross-sectional descriptive study of 379 deliveries which allowed to determine the frequency of fetal death. Then, the determination of risk factors was made using a case-control study in which the characteristics of 53 fetal deaths were compared to 106 controls constituted of live births. RESULTS: The fetal intrauterine death's frequency at Reference General Hospital of Kamina was at 13,98%. After adjustment, maternal age over 35 years (OR = 6,23; IC= (1,30-29,80)), antecedent of fetal intrauterine death (OR = 3,13; IC= (1,06-9,27)) and diseases during pregnancy (OR = 31,6, IC= [7,66-130,71]) have been identified as factors significantly associated with increased occurrence fetal death. The high maternal education (OR = 0,11; IC= (0,03-0,42)) and Kamina's residency (OR = 0,23; IC= (0,08-0,62)) decreased this risk. CONCLUSION: The frequency of fetal death was 13,9%. The advanced maternal age, the history of fetal death and disease during pregnancy was associated with fetal intra uterin death but the high maternal instruction and the Kamina residence reduced the risk. The monitoring of at-risk pregnant, screening and the treatment of diseases during pregnancy are necessary in view of reducing prevalence of fetal death in our midst.
