Correlation of fetal autopsy with prenatal ultrasound findings: Study in a tertiary care teaching hospital

To present a comprehensive analysis of autopsy findings in 168 fetuses in a tertiary care teaching hospital and to assess the clinical utility in reaching a final diagnosis. This is essential for counseling regarding the risk of recurrence in cases of congenital anomalies. We also performed autopsy in fetuses that were terminated based on the ultrasonogram that confirmed the malformation and were correlated to evaluate the potential benefit of radiological investigation.

Retrospective review of perinatal autopsy records in a tertiary care centre in South India during three year period (2005–2008) was made. Our study comprises of 168 fetuses, 42 terminated after detecting an anomaly in ultrasonogram and 126 were spontaneous fetal losses. In all cases, fetal autopsy was carried out and internal organs were studied. All fetuses with malformations confirmed by ultrasound findings were compared with autopsy findings.

Fetal autopsy was able to provide a definite final diagnosis in 100% of cases. Fetal autopsy correlated very well with the ultrasound findings in all cases.

This study helps to analyse the importance of fetal autopsy in identifying the cause of fetal loss that will help in the genetic counseling of the couple.