Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
A Protocol for Rapid Post-mortem Cell Culture of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)
Published on: March 7, 2017
Interventions to improve rates of post-mortem examination after stillbirth
Sarah J Stock1, Lesley Goldsmith, Margaret J Evans
1University of Edinburgh, Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Room S7129, Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, United Kingdom. sarah.stock@ed.ac.uk
Objective:
Despite recognition of the value of post-mortem examination following stillbirth, worldwide rates have declined since the early 1990s. There is a paucity of published evidence relating to factors that can improve post-mortem uptake. The aim of this study was to assess post-mortem rates following stillbirth and identify trends in the past 18 years that may have affected acceptance of the investigation.
Study Design:
Retrospective cohort study.
Results:
Sharp declines in post-mortems coincided with publicity surrounding unlawful organ retention. Although nationally post-mortem rates have continued to fall, in our unit there was recovery in post-mortem rates. This increase was associated with implementation of policies to promote the uptake of perinatal post-mortem, including availability of specialist perinatal pathologists, education in the value of post-mortem, and senior staff involvement in counselling regarding the procedure.
Conclusion:
The need to improve uptake of post-mortem examination following stillbirth is internationally recognized. The results of this study suggest that increased local availability of specialist perinatal pathologists, who can support education in the value of post-mortem, along with senior staff obtaining consent, may help achieve this goal.
