Wafaa EL-SEHLY, Asmaa EL-BANNA, Rania ALI, Esraa ORABY, Mohamed Salah Ibrahim Saad MOUSTAFA
Annals of Clinical and Analytical Medicine - 2026;17(6):605-610
Aim: In this study we aimed to evaluate the role of gross pathological examination of the placenta and umbilical cord in determining whether the dead baby was stillborn or liveborn. Methods: The study was conducted on a total of 50 post-delivery cases attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, at El-Shatby University Hospital, Alexandria, including two groups: The first group was the live-born group (25 newborns; vaginal or cesarean delivery), and the second group was the stillborn group (25 confirmed intrauterine fetal death cases with gestational age >= 20 weeks). Results: Greyish/brownish umbilical cord discoloration was a strong indicator of stillbirth (sensitivity 56%, specificity 100%). Fibrin plaques on the placental fetal surface were common in stillborn cases. Pale maternal placental surfaces and parenchyma marked stillbirth, often associated with infarction. Conclusion: Gross placental pathology assessment, including the umbilical cord and placental surfaces, is critical in determining live birth vs. stillbirth. These findings aid forensic understanding and inform obstetric care.
