INTRODUCTION — The majority of clinically recognized pregnancies
have no complications and result in the birth of a healthy child.
However, 15 to 20 percent tragically end in loss [1]. These embryonic
and fetal losses are devastating for expectant parents at any stage of
pregnancy.
The incidence, etiology, and evaluation of second and third trimester
fetal death will be discussed here. Early pregnancy loss is reviewed
separately. (See "Cytogenetic abnormalities in the embryo; fetus; and
infant-I" and see "Spontaneous abortion").