Identification of the causes of intrauterine death during autopsies of 74 dead fetus and neonates

ABSTRACT

The aim of this article is Evaluation of causes of Perinatal death. During a four-year period, 2000-2004 in Alzahra hospital, 74 autopsies of dead fetus and neonates were performed using a standardized protocol with systematic examination of all major cranial, thoracic and abdominal organs including microscopic examination. The possible causes of the death were identified in 82.4 percent [6 leases]. Structural abnormalities were identified in 64.8 percent [48 cases]. There were no pathologic finding in 10.8 percent [8 cases]. Maceration was seen in 6.75 percent [5 cases]. Asphyxia and intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus [IUR] are identified respectively in 18 percent [13 cases] and 13.5 percent [10 cases]. Perinatal autopsy is valuable in different ways the confirmation of ante-mortem diagnoses; the identification of unexpected disorders, and exclusion of other [perhaps inheritable] conditions which might be have caused the intrauterine death; and also perinatal autopsy might be a best quality control instrument for medical cares