A fetal autopsy study on congenital malformations among stillbirths in a tertiary care hospital

The present study was conducted to determine the pattern of distribution of congenital anomalies based on the system of involvement through fetal autopsy. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 50 stillborn fetuses. The objective of this study is to find out the association between congenital anomalies and maternal factors, congenital anomalies and fetal factors, and the association between autopsy findings and antenatal ultrasound reports. Each stillborn fetus was classified based on birth weight, gestational age, maternal age, gravidity of the mother, and socioeconomic status of the parents. The central nervous system anomalies (36%) are the most commonly observed congenital anomalies. The chi-square test showed a significant association between maternal medical disorders and congenital anomalies (p < 0.05). The chi-square test showed a significant association between maternal medical disorders and congenital anomalies (p < 0.05). The autopsy confirmed the antenatal ultrasound findings in 40 (80%) of the cases. There were significant additional findings observed in 7 (14%) cases, and ultrasound diagnosis was completely changed in 3 (6%) cases, after the final autopsy procedure. It should be mandatory to have an autopsy study for all the stillborn fetuses to predict and counsel for safe future pregnancy outcomes.