[Practice of fetal pathological examination]

Authors report on the practice and most important genetic questions of fetopathological examinations. A so called genetic-morphologic approach is suggested. The observer needs special knowledge to recognize major and minor signs of defects in fetuses in the second, or sometimes even in the first trimester. Spontaneous abortions in the first trimester are caused mainly by chromosome aberrations. In the second trimester the main causes of spontaneous abortions are maternal in origin or secondary to intrauterine infection. Medical legal aspects are also reviewed. For proper documentation a photo or X-ray must be taken. Cytogenetic and molecular genetic methods are also very important tools, therefore examination must be performed before fixation. For the first time in Hungary fetal biometric data are presented with correlation between gestational age and different organ weights. Our aim is to promote better understand of fetal malformations and disorders.