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Does autopsy of antenatally diagnosed malformed foetuses aid genetic counselling?
1Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Background:
Many pregnancies are terminated because of ultrasonographic diagnosis of malformation in the foetus. A detailed foetal autopsy is needed to arrive at a definite diagnosis on the basis of which genetic counselling can be provided.
Methods:
Sixty-one foetuses, terminated because of antenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations by ultrasound, were autopsied. The ultrasound diagnosis was compared with the diagnosis reached after autopsy.
Results:
In 31 cases (51%) the autopsy provided additional findings. In 21 cases (34.4%), the autopsy changed the primary diagnosis. The revised diagnosis led to a change in the risk of recurrence in 18 cases (29.5%).
Conclusion:
Genetic counselling depending solely on ultrasonographic foetal diagnosis may be erroneous. For appropriate genetic counselling, a detailed foetal examination should be carried out after termination in cases with ultrasonographically detected congenital malformations.