Abstract:
Generally, stillbirth is only experienced in about 1 out of every 200 pregnancies. Most stillbirths
occur before delivery, however, up to 14% of all stillbirths do occur during the delivery period. Infection
is an important cause of stillbirths worldwide: in low-income and middle-income countries, 50%
of stillbirths or more are probably caused by infection. Infection may cause stillbirth by a number of
mechanisms, including direct infection, placental damage, and severe maternal illness. A large variety
of organisms have been associated with stillbirth, including many bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.
