What happens when a baby dies: stillbirth investigations for infection and other aetiologies

Abstract

Infections in stillbirths are common, often clinically silent and need to be screened. The microbiology laboratory needs to have the appropriate culture techniques and expertise. The results of the clinical features, the pathology findings of the fetus and the placenta and the microbiological and serological features need to be interpreted together; individual results should not be considered in isolation.