†These authors contributed equally.
Academic Editor: Luca Roncati
Background: Stillbirth is a worldwide devastating adverse pregnancy
outcome and specific maternal conditions have been associated with an increased
risk of fetal death. However, despite the worldwide increased efforts in
prevention of stillbirth, little improvements have been achieved in recent years.
Our aim was to explore the role of maternal conditions that can be ascertained at
the beginning of pregnancy (i.e., demographic and medical conditions/diseases)
and estimate their contribution to antepartum stillbirth. An early identification
of risk factors could offer to high-risk pregnancies a tailored antenatal
surveillance by trained staff leading to a potential reduction of stillbirth
rates. Methods: Retrospective case-control study in singleton
pregnancies. The difference between fetal survival rates in women with or without
risk factors was evaluated. Results: Antepartum stillbirth occurs more
frequently in infertile, older women, with systemic diseases. Maternal conditions
may affect fetal outcome in a time-dependent manner. Subdividing cases in early
stillbirths (before 28 weeks of gestation) and late stillbirth (