Smoking in pregnancy is a key factor for sudden infant death among Māori.

Aim: To examine the sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) disparity between Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand.

Methods: A nationwide prospective case-control study ran from March 2012 to February 2015. Exposure to established SUDI risk factors was analysed to investigate the disparity experienced by Māori.

Late stillbirth post mortem examination in New Zealand: Maternal decision-making.

Background: For parents who experience stillbirth, knowing the cause of their baby's death is important. A post mortem examination is the gold standard investigation, but little is known about what may influence parents' decisions to accept or decline.

Aim: We aimed to identify factors influencing maternal decision-making about post mortem examination after late stillbirth.

Fetal megacystis: Institutional experience and outcomes.

Background: Fetal megacystis is a sonographic feature that may be indicative of several underlying pathologies. Despite advances in diagnosis and management, the overall prognosis of affected fetuses remains poor and about 50% of such pregnancies are terminated.

Aims: To define the frequency, management, survival and renal outcomes of fetal megacystis over nine years at Wellington Hospital, New Zealand.

The combination of bed sharing and maternal smoking leads to a greatly increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy: the New Zealand SUDI Nationwide Case Control Study.

Background: Despite a major reduction in overall infant mortality, sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) continues to be of concern in New Zealand, as the rate is high by international standards, and is even higher in indigenous Māori.

Aim: To identify modifiable risk factors for SUDI.

Methods: A three-year (1 March 2012-28 February 2015) nationwide case-control study was conducted in New Zealand.

Classification of causes and associated conditions for stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

Accurate and consistent classification of causes and associated conditions for perinatal deaths is essential to inform strategies to reduce the five million which occur globally each year. With the majority of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), their needs must be prioritised. The aim of this paper is to review the classification of perinatal death, the contemporary classification systems including the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases - Perinatal Mortality (ICD-PM), and next steps.

Does a large abdominal wall defect affect lung growth?

Background/purpose: Respiratory distress in babies with large abdominal wall defects suggests a relationship to decreased diaphragmatic movement. We evaluated pulmonary development in a fetal lamb gastroschisis model.

Methods: We created gastroschisis in 25 fetal lambs at 60days gestation (group A).

Rethinking placental pathology in the PSANZ classification of unexplained stillbirth at term.

Background: Approximately 30 per cent of stillbirths are currently classified 'unexplained' using the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) classification system in New Zealand. This unexplained category includes deaths with placental pathology even though the importance of placental pathology and its causal relationship to stillbirth is well described.

Aims: To determine whether unexplained stillbirths in New Zealand classified using PSANZ criteria can be more usefully classified based on placental pathology.

Pressure limited vesico-amniotic shunt allows normal lung growth in a fetal lamb model of obstructive uropathy.

Background: In our fetal lamb model of lower urinary tract obstruction, a pressure limited shunt preserves bladder function and renal development. This study investigates the effects on pulmonary histology.

Methods: We created obstructive uropathy (OU) in 60-day gestation fetal lambs, ligating the urethra and urachus, and delivering them at term (130-145days).

Can a pressure-limited V-A shunt for obstructive uropathy really protect the kidney?

Background: In our fetal lamb model of lower urinary tract obstruction, a valved shunt preserves bladder function. This study investigates the effects on renal histology.

Methods: We created obstructive uropathy (OU) in 60-day gestation fetal lambs, ligating the urethra and urachus, and delivering them at term (130-145days).

Development of an animal model to study congenital urinary obstruction.

Purpose: We outline the development of a reliable model of obstructive uropathy in fetal lambs highlighting our understanding of the critical time points for interventions and the variability of any such model. We identify some discoveries that may have clinical implications.

Methods: The model requires 60-day-gestation fetal lambs.

Valved shunt as a treatment for obstructive uropathy: does pressure make a difference?

Purpose: A valved ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (V-P shunt) as a vesico-amniotic shunt (V-A shunt) preserves the filling/emptying cycle and normal bladder development in fetal lambs with bladder outlet obstruction. The optimal pressure for such shunts is unknown.

Materials And Methods: We created obstructive uropathy in 60-day gestation fetal lambs.

Antenatal care, identification of suboptimal fetal growth and risk of late stillbirth: findings from the Auckland Stillbirth Study.

Introduction: Stillbirth remains an important public health problem in Australia and New Zealand. The role that antenatal care plays in the prevention of stillbirth in high-income countries is unclear.

Methods: Cases were women with a singleton, late stillbirth without congenital abnormality, booked to deliver in the Auckland region and born between July 2006 and June 2009.

Maternal perception of fetal activity and late stillbirth risk: findings from the Auckland Stillbirth Study.

Background:   Maternal perception of decreased fetal movements has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth. Little is known about other aspects of perceived fetal activity. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between maternal perception of fetal activity and late stillbirth (≥28 wk gestation) risk.

Gliosis in neonatal SUDI cases.

Aim: To review sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUDI) in the first 28 days of life referred to a Coronial Perinatal Forensic Pathology Service over a 10-year period from 2000 to 2009.

Methods: Cases were collected from mortuary records, and a retrospective review of autopsy reports and other available infant records was undertaken.

Results: Twenty-four neonatal SUDI were reviewed.

Association between maternal sleep practices and risk of late stillbirth: a case-control study.

Objectives: To determine whether snoring, sleep position, and other sleep practices in pregnant women are associated with risk of late stillbirth.

Design: Prospective population based case-control study.

Setting: Auckland, New Zealand

Cases: 155 women with a singleton late stillbirth (≥ 28 weeks' gestation) without congenital abnormality born between July 2006 and June 2009 and booked to deliver in Auckland.

The Auckland Stillbirth study, a case-control study exploring modifiable risk factors for third trimester stillbirth: methods and rationale.

Background: In high-income countries, stillbirth rates have been static in recent decades. Unexplained stillbirths account for up to 50% of these deaths.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand, from July 2006 to June 2009 to explore modifiable risk factors for late stillbirth (≥28 weeks of gestation).

Relationship between obesity, ethnicity and risk of late stillbirth: a case control study.

Background: In high income countries there has been little improvement in stillbirth rates over the past two decades. Previous studies have indicated an ethnic disparity in the rate of stillbirths. This study aimed to determine whether maternal ethnicity is independently associated with late stillbirth in New Zealand.

Bladder development following bladder outlet obstruction in fetal lambs: optimal timing of fetal therapy.

Background: Lower urinary tract obstruction causes both renal failure and bladder dysfunction after birth. This study examined the early bladder wall changes after creating an obstructive uropathy focusing on bladder wall thickness and muscle integrity.

Methods: We created obstructive uropathy in fetal lambs at 60 days' gestation, ligating the urethra and urachus.

Forensic issues in cases of water birth fatalities.

Birth under water has become a widely disseminated technique that is promoted to improve the quality of labor. The case of a 42-week gestation male infant is reported who died of respiratory and multiorgan failure secondary to florid pneumonia and sepsis due Pseudomonas aeruginosa following a water birth. Other infants who have been delivered underwater have drowned or have had near-drowning episodes with significant hyponatremia and water intoxication.

Simultaneous sudden unexpected death in infancy of twins: case report.

Simultaneous sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in twins is an extremely rare event. Some believe these are natural deaths, whereas others suggest they are unnatural. We report monozygotic twins dying at 12 weeks of age.

Risk factors for and timing of death of extremely preterm infants.

This study examined risk factors for timing and cause of death for extremely preterm infants > or = 23 weeks and < 28 weeks. There were 479 liveborn infants and 98 deaths reviewed over a ten-year period. Thirty-two deaths (33%) occurred on the first day of life and 72 (75%) in the first month of life.

Sudden unexpected infant death and bedsharing: referrals to the Wellington Coroner 1997-2006.

Aims: To describe the factors associated with sudden unexpected infant deaths, for which there was no clear medical diagnosis, referred to the Wellington-based coronial paediatric pathology service over the decade from 1997 to 2006.

Methods: The postmortem report, Police 47 file, Coroner's findings and deceased infant's medical records were used to create a profile for each sudden and unexpected infant death.

Results: There were 64 deaths in the period: 54 of these occurred during sleep and did not have a clear medical diagnosis.

A case of amyoplasia in a monochorionic twin pregnancy: a sequela from twin-twin transfusion syndrome?

Objective: To present and discuss the sonographic and clinical findings in one twin of a monochorionic pair affected by amyoplasia.

Methods: On ultrasound examination at 21 weeks in a monochorionic twin pregnancy, twin I was smaller, hydropic, with multiple contractures consistent with amyoplasia and oligohydramnios. Twin II was anatomically normal with polyhydramnios.