[An APC composite analysis system for analyzing the cause of perinatal death]

As the cause of perinatal death is multi-factorial and complex, its analysis should be a composite one. The method stated here includes the following: The APC analysis system. A is autopsy, P is placental pathological examination and C is the clinical data. The analysis is based mainly on the diagnosis of autopsy, with the findings of placenta as a non-negligible component part of the autopsy. As for the clinical data, they are both as the start point of the autopsy and the final check for the conclusion drawn from the pathological examination. The analysis procedure of a complex case is given in detail for example. Strictly applying this system, the causes of perinatal death were clarified in 99.3% of 137 cases, and in 98.6% (66/67) of stillbirths. The underlying factors of primary perinatal death are usually neglected, which could be found out as well with this system. For example, the underlying factors inducing intrauterine anoxia of 92.3% of cases (36/39) were determined by using the APC system. The role played by the placental pathological examination in this analysis system is clearly shown and stressed, especially in the stillbirths. The quality of causal analysis of perinatal death is greatly improved by applying the APC analysis system.