Maternal medical disease and stillbirth.

Stillbirth is one of the most common adverse pregnancy outcomes in the United States. Although there are certain maternal medical conditions that increase the risk of antepartum fetal death, advances in medical and obstetric care have decreased its incidence. The objective of this review was to examine the current stillbirth rates reported in pregnancies complicated by common medical diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic renal disease, thyroid disorders, and cholestasis of pregnancy. Early diagnosis remains the key to provide increased surveillance and possible intervention to further decrease the likelihood of stillbirth.