Intrauterine Fetal Demise

Abstract

Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) and stillbirth are interchangeable terms to describe a fetal death in the second half of pregnancy. IUFD is defined as the delivery of a fetus showing no signs of life as indicated by the absence of heart rate, breathing, umbilical cord pulsation, or voluntary muscle movements. A thorough evaluation of maternal history and risk factors, fetal evaluation involving autopsy and genetic evaluation, and placental pathology should be offered at the time of IUFD diagnosis. Significant counseling should be provided to patients regarding future pregnancies and the risk of recurrence as well as the need for increased antenatal testing and delivery planning in subsequent pregnancies.  This review contains 5 tables, 10 figures and 55 references.  Keywords: fetal kick counts, intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), management of intrauterine fetal demise, microarray, placental pathology, risk factors for intrauterine fetal demise