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Perinatal autopsy--a seven-year study
S Rajashekar1, B V Bhat, A J Veliath
1Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education & Research, Pondicherry.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Perinatal autopsies are crucial for understanding infant deaths. This study found significant pathological findings in nearly all perinatal deaths, highlighting the diagnostic value of autopsies in neonatal and stillbirth cases.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal pathology
- Autopsy analysis
- Neonatal mortality
Background:
- Perinatal mortality remains a significant concern.
- Autopsies are vital for determining causes of death.
- Previous studies highlight the importance of autopsy in perinatal cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze autopsy findings in perinatal deaths.
- To determine the diagnostic yield of perinatal autopsies.
- To compare autopsy findings with clinical diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of autopsy records.
- Study period: October 1983 to September 1990.
- Inclusion of neonatal deaths and stillbirths.
Main Results:
- Autopsy rates were 33% for neonates and 4.9% for stillbirths.
- Significant findings were present in 97.2% of neonatal deaths and 100% of stillbirths.
- Pulmonary lesions and congenital malformations were the most common findings; infections were less common than in other Indian studies.
- Autopsies changed or added to clinical diagnoses in 59.5% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Perinatal autopsies provide highly valuable diagnostic information.
- Autopsies reveal significant internal congenital malformations often missed clinically.
- Autopsy is a productive tool for improving perinatal care and understanding mortality.