Maternal deaths associated with antepartum fetal death in utero, United States, 1972 to 1978.

Little is known about the overall incidence of fetal death in utero (FDIU) in the United States or about the risks associated with its management. To address these questions, this study provides nationwide incidence data and reviews nine deaths of women with FDIU in the United States from 1972 to 1978. The crude death-to-case rate associated with FDIU is at least 4.5 deaths per 100,000 cases (95% confidence limits, 2.1 to 8.5). Existing information from comparative studies is inadequate to evaluate the comparative safety of different methods of evacuating the uterus after FDIU occurs at different gestational ages. Management of such cases should be determined by both the experience of the physician with uterine evacuation techniques and the medical and psychologic needs of the woman.