FETAL DEATH IN UTERO. NEED FOR UNIVERSAL STANDARD DEFINITIONS

A. M. Panaitescu, L. Ceaușelu, N. Gică, A. M. Ciobanu, C. Gică, A. Veduță, G. Peltecu, R. Botezatu,

Abstract: Fetal death in utero is a major public health problem worldwide and a tragedy for individual families. There is no unity in terms of definitions and reporting system, not even within the United States or the European Community. The WHO definitions are not globally accepted. Fetal death in utero has also medical aspects which must identify risk factors and develop programs for education and prevention, and appropriate strategic interventions to reduce these fatalities. Parents and public education are aspects not to be missed. There is a need for an international consensus to standardize definitions and unify legislations and reporting systems. In Romania medicine and legislation need to adapt to this challenge.
Keywords: fetal death, in utero, stillbirth, definition, standard