Related Experiment Videos
Value of perinatal autopsy
O M Faye-Petersen1, D A Guinn, K D Wenstrom
1Department of Pathology and Obstetrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|November 27, 1999
Summary
Perinatal autopsies frequently identified the cause of fetal or neonatal death. These findings significantly altered parental counseling and recurrence risk estimates in a substantial number of cases.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal pathology
- Medical genetics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Background:
- Perinatal deaths necessitate accurate determination of cause of death.
- Understanding the cause of death is crucial for genetic counseling and recurrence risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic yield of perinatal autopsies.
- To assess the impact of autopsy findings on parental counseling and recurrence risk estimates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of fetal and neonatal autopsies performed by a single pathologist.
- Analysis of autopsy findings in relation to clinical diagnoses and parental counseling.
Main Results:
- Autopsies identified the likely cause of death in 94% of cases.
- Autopsy findings altered parental counseling or recurrence risk in 26% of cases.
- Autopsy revealed previously unsuspected pathology in 10% of cases without structural anomalies.
Conclusions:
- Perinatal autopsy is highly effective in determining the cause of fetal and early neonatal death.
- Autopsy findings play a vital role in modifying recurrence risk and guiding parental counseling.