Investigating the causes of stillbirth: a prospective cohort study examining use and effectiveness of a comprehensive investigation protocol

This study addresses the call for better data on the causes of stillbirths from the NHMRC Maternity Services review and The Lancet Stillbirth Series and constitutes the major research agenda of the Australian and New Zealand Stillbirth Alliance (ANZSA). In this study we will identify causes of stillbirths in a large well-investigated cohort and improve the quality of data on stillbirths across Australia through identifying a cost-effective, evidence-based approach to stillbirth investigations.

Specific aims are:

To describe the causes and contributing factors to stillbirth in a well investigated cohort
To evaluate the procedures involved in establishing and maintaining a stillbirth research data collection system, including independent expert panel review, compliance with Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) stillbirth investigation protocol and data quality
To determine agreement between hospital review committees and the expert panel with regards to classification of causes of stillbirth using the PSANZ Perinatal Death Classification (PDC).