OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the quality of information registered on fetal death certifi cates.
METHODS:Records were reviewed from 710 fetal deaths registered in the consolidated database of deaths from the State System for Data Analysis and the São Paulo State Secretary of Health, for deaths in São Paulo municipality (Southeastern Brazil) during the fi rst semester of 2008. Completeness was analyzed for variables on fetal death certifi cates issued by hospitals and autopsy service. The death certifi cates from a sub-sample of 212 fetal deaths in hospitals of the National Unifi ed Health System (public) were compared to medical records and to the records from Coroner's Offi ce.
RESULTS:Among death certifi cates, 75% were issues by Coroner's Offi ce, with Coroner's greater frequency in public hospitals (78%). Completeness of variables on death certifi cates issued by hospitals was higher among nonpublic hospitals. There was greater completeness, agreement and sensitivity in death certifi cates issued by hospitals. There was low agreement and high specifi city for variables related to maternal characteristics. Increased reporting of gender, birth weight and gestational age was observed in certifi cates issued by Coroner's Offi ce. Autopsies did not result in improved ascertainment of cause of death, with 65.7% identifi ed as unspecifi ed fetal death as 24.3% as intrauterine hypoxia, while death certifi cates by hospitals reported 18.1% as unspecifi ed and 41.7% as intrauterine hypoxia.
CONCLUSIONS:Completeness and the ascertainment of cause of fetal death need to be improved. The high proportion of autopsies did not improve information and ascertainment of cause of death. The quality of information generated by autopsies depends on access to hospital records.