P14.03: Higher stillbirth rates in a unique multi-ethnic urban population: could it be explained by maternal ethnicity?

To establish the association between maternal ethnicity and risk of stillbirth and to ascertain causes of stillbirth by ethnicity. This is a retrospective study, over a period of one year, of all deliveries in a district general hospital in inner city London. Maternal ethnicity was self-reported as Asian (Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Sri Lankan), Black (African, Afro-Caribbean), Caucasian or mixed. All stillbirths during the period were recorded and analysis of cause was established using medical records. Causes of stillbirth were classified as placental, fetal, unexplained or intrapartum. Other causes were too few to include. There were 5270 deliveries during this time period. Maternal ethnicities were as follows: 42% Asian, 19% Black, 23% Caucasian, and 1% mixed. 15% were unreported. There were 33 stillbirths, giving a rate of 6.2 per 1000 births. Odds ratio for stillbirth was 5.3 for Asians and 7.4 for Blacks compared with Caucasians. Intrapartum stillbirths accounted for 21% of stillbirths in Asians, 17% in Blacks, and none in Caucasians. All the antepartum stillbirths in Caucasians were due to placental causes, whereas they accounted for 47% of stillbirths in Asians and 33% in Blacks. Fetal causes accounted for 11% of antepartum stillbirths in Asians and 8% in Blacks. The cause was unexplained in 33% of Blacks and 21% of Asians. Women of Asian and Black ethnicity have a significantly increased risk of stillbirth as compared to Caucasians. This may partly explain our high rate of stillbirth as compared to the national average of 5.1 per 1000 births. Our study highlights the need to consider ethnicity when planning antenatal care. P14.03: Table