This project aims to deepen our understanding of why stillbirths occur. This research will help improve the quality of stillbirth investigations and support better care and prevention efforts. A combination of studies examining the value and quality of investigations have been conducted.
In these studies, the research team identified causes of stillbirths in a large well-investigated cohort and improve the quality of data on stillbirths across Australia through identifying a cost-effective, evidence-based approach to stillbirth investigations.
Combined study aims are:
- To describe the causes and contributing factors to stillbirth in a well investigated cohort.
- To evaluate the procedures involved in establishing and maintaining a stillbirth research data collection system, including independent expert panel review, compliance with Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) stillbirth investigation protocol and data quality
- To determine agreement between hospital review committees and the expert panel with regards to classification of causes of stillbirth using the PSANZ Perinatal Death Classification (PDC).
- To determine the clinical utility of stillbirth investigations.
- To determine the reporting practices of perinatal autopsies and placental pathology in stillbirths.
Research team: Jessica Sexton, Mu Cheng, Jane Dahlstrom, Yee Khong, Fran Boyle, Michael Coory, Vicki Flenady, David Ellwood, Tania Marsden, Cecilia O’brien, Skye Martin, Ali Moghimi, Stacey Prystupa, Fathima Cassim, Richard Mausling, Heidi Shukralla, Ashwati Krishnan Varikara, Patricia Hannaford, Joanne Frost, Joanna Perry-Keene, Yin Ping Wong, Geok Chin Tan, Gretchen Pomare, Louisa Gordon, Kassam Mahomed, Alison Kent, Elizabeth Paver, Glenn Gardener, Adrian Charles, Teck Yee Khong, Adrienne Gordon.
Publications:
Sexton JK, Mahomed K, Marsden T, Coory M, Gardener G, Ellwood D, et al. Prospective cohort study: Causes of stillbirth in Australia 2013–2018. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2021;61(5):667-74.
Marsden T, Khong TY, Dahlstrom JE, Ellwood D, Moghimi A, Prystupa S, et al. Validation of a tool for determining the clinical utility of stillbirth investigations. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2023;63(4):535-40.
Marsden T, Shukralla H, Khong TY, Dahlstrom JE, Flenady V, Sexton J. Understanding the clinical utility of stillbirth investigations: a scoping review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2025;25(1):221.
Marsden T, Khong TY, Dahlstrom JE, et al. Placental Pathology Reporting Practices in Australian Stillbirths: A Quality Review. Pediatric and Developmental Pathology. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/10935266251349492
Other
Placental Pathology Reporting Practices in Australian Stillbirths: A Quality Review Podcast available
