Editorial comment

摘要

(Stillbirth is a major contributor to perinatal mortality, with over 25,000 fetal deaths after 20 weeks of gestation reported in the United States in 2005 (Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2009;57:1-19). While the fetal mortality rate of 6.2 deaths per 1000, or 1/160 live births, is significantly lower than it was 20 years ago, it has been relatively stable for the past decade. The causes of stillbirth fall into 3 general categories: fetal anomalies, cord or placental abnormalities, and maternal comor-bidities. However, the cause of stillbirths remains unknown in most cases (Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2010: 53: 681-690).