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The value of neonatal autopsy
Leah Hickey1, Amanda Murphy, Deirdre Devaney
1Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. leahmariahickey@yahoo.co.uk
Neonatology
|September 14, 2011
Summary
Neonatal autopsy remains valuable, confirming diagnoses in 91% of cases and uncovering new clinical and genetic information. This diagnostic tool provides critical data for families and healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Medical diagnostics
- Pathology
- Neonatal care
Background:
- Neonatal autopsy rates declined internationally at the end of the 20th century.
- Assessing the current value of neonatal autopsy is crucial for families and healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic yield and clinical utility of neonatal autopsies.
- To determine the impact of autopsy findings on clinical practice and family understanding.
Main Methods:
- Review of 164 neonatal autopsies over 11 years in a tertiary perinatal center.
- Analysis of autopsy rates, concordance between clinical and autopsy diagnoses, and identification of additional findings.
- Assessment of the effect of informed consent on post-mortem rates.
Main Results:
- Autopsy rates declined from 73% to 48% between 1994 and 2004.
- 91% concordance for cause of death; 85 cases revealed unsuspected conditions.
- 45 cases provided genetic information; 29 cases offered clinical audit value.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal autopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool.
- It provides critical clinical and audit information for healthcare professionals.
- It offers essential diagnostic insights for families.
