Registration of Spontaneous Fetal Deaths

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  2. Georgia Code
  3. Health
  4. Vital Records
  5. Registration of Spontaneous Fetal Deaths

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  1. A report of spontaneous fetal death for each spontaneous fetal death which occurs in this state shall be filed with the local registrar of the county in which the delivery occurred within 72 hours after such delivery in accordance with this Code section unless the place of fetal death is unknown, in which case a fetal death certificate shall be filed in the county in which the dead fetus was found within 72 hours after such occurrence. All induced terminations of pregnancy shall be reported in the manner prescribed in Code Section 31-10-19. Preparation and filing of reports of spontaneous fetal death shall be as follows:
    1. When a dead fetus is delivered in an institution, the person in charge of the institution or that person's designated representative shall prepare and file the report;
    2. When a dead fetus is delivered outside an institution, the physician in attendance at or immediately after delivery shall prepare and file the report;
    3. When a spontaneous fetal death required to be reported by this Code section occurs without medical attendance at or immediately after the delivery or when inquiry is required by Article 2 of Chapter 16 of Title 45, the "Georgia Death Investigation Act," the proper investigating official shall investigate the cause of fetal death and shall prepare and file the report within 30 days; and
    4. When a spontaneous fetal death occurs in a moving conveyance and the fetus is first removed from the conveyance in this state or when a dead fetus is found in this state and the place of fetal death is unknown, the fetal death shall be reported in this state. The place where the fetus was first removed from the conveyance or the dead fetus was found shall be considered the place of fetal death.
  2. The medical certification portion of the fetal death report shall be completed and signed within 48 hours after delivery by the physician in attendance at or after delivery except when inquiry or investigation is required by Article 2 of Chapter 16 of Title 45, the "Georgia Death Investigation Act."
  3. The name of the father shall be entered on the spontaneous fetal death report in accordance with the provisions of Code Section 31-10-9.

(Ga. L. 1945, p. 236, § 17; Ga. L. 1953, Jan.-Feb. Sess., p. 140, § 9; Code 1933, § 88-1716, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499, § 1; Code 1933, § 88-1718, enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 723, § 1; Code 1981, §31-10-74; Code 1981, §31-10-18, enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 723, § 2; Ga. L. 2005, p. 60, § 31/HB 95.)

OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Certificate of legal abortion will not replace fetal death certificate. 1973 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 73-71.

Fetal death occurs when abortion is performed.

- When a doctor has induced an abortion by any currently used abortion procedure, a fetal death occurs; therefore, both a fetal death certificate and a certificate of abortion must be filed; however, if fetal death is caused by a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage, it would only be necessary to file a fetal death certificate. 1973 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 73-71.

RESEARCH REFERENCES

ALR.

- Official death certificate as evidence of cause of death in civil or criminal action, 21 A.L.R.3d 418.


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