Skip to main content
Log in

Perinatal autopsy—A seven-year study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
The Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of autopsies conducted on perinatal deaths during 7 years period (Oct 1983 to Sept 1990) was done. There were 650 neonatal deaths and 944 still births during the study period. Autopsy rates among neonates and still births were 33% and 4.9% respectively. There ware significant findings in 97.2% of neonatal deaths and in all still births. Pulmonary lesions followed by congenital malformations were the major pathological findings. Infection was observed among smaller number of babies compared to other Indian studies. Autopsy revealed many internal congenital malformations which were not diagnosed clinically. Autopsy changed or added to clinical diagnosis in 59.5% of cases. Perinatal autopsy is highly productive in our set up.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Geller SA. Autoposy.Sci Am 1983; 248: 124–136.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Veress B, Alafuzaff I. Clinical diagnostic accuracy audited by autopsy in a University hospital in two areas.Quality assurance in health care 1993; 5: 281–286.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Eriksson L, Sundstrom C. Decreasing autopsy rate in Sweden reflects changing attitude among clinicians.Quality assurance in health care 1993; 5: 319–323.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Wheeler MS, Bottles K. One resident's view of autopsy.Arch Pathol Lab Med 1985; 78: 311–313.

    Google Scholar 

  5. McPhee SJ, Bottles K. Autopsy moribund art of vital science?Am J Med 1985; 78: 107–113.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Burrows S. The post-mortem examination. Scientific necessity or folly?JAMA 1975; 233: 441–443.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Roberts WC. The autopsy. Its decline and a suggestion for its revival.N Eng J Med 1978; 299: 332–338.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Goldman L, Sayson R, Robbins S. The value of autopsy in 3 medical cases.N Eng J Med 1983; 308: 1000–1005.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Dorsey DB. A perspective on the autopsy.Am J Clin Pathol 1978; 69: 217–223.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Scottilini AG, Wenstein SR. The autopsy in clinical quality control.JAMA 1983; 250: 1192–1194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Gau G. The ultimate audit.Br Med J 1977; 1: 1580–1582.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Veress B, Alafuzaff. A retrospective analysis of clinical diagnosis & autopsy findings in 3042 cases during two different time periods.Human pathology 1995; 25: 140–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Govt. of India. Health information of India 1992. DGHS New Delhi.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sophir O. Autopsy Diagnosis and technic. Newyork, Paul B.Hoelec Inc 1958.

  15. Greshan GA, Truene AP.Postmortem procedures (An illustrated Textbook). London, Wolfe Medical publication Ltd. 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Ruston DI. Prognostic role of the perinatal postmortem.Brit J of Hosp Med 1994; 52: 450–454.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Banerjee CK, Narang A, Bhakoo N, Aikat BK. The causes of neonatal mortality. An analysis of 250 autopsy in newborn infants.Indian Pediatr 1975; 12: 1247–1252.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Mehdi Z, Naidu PM, Gopal Rao. Incidence and causes of perinatal mortality in Hyderabed.Ind J Med Res 1961; 49: 897–906.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Ghosh S, Bhargava SK, Sharma DBet al. A preliminary report on a hospital based study.Indian Pediatr 1971; 8: 421–426.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Maheshwary HB, Teja K, Savita R, Kumar S. Causes of late fetal and neonatal deaths.Indian Pediatr 1977; 8: 417–421.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Stolman CJ, Castello F, Yorio M, Mautone S. Attitudes of pediatricians & pediatric residents towards obtaining permission for autopsy.Arch Pediatr and adolescent Med. 1994; 148: 843–847.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Ruston DI. West midlands perinatal mortality survey 1987.Br J Obst & Gyn 1991; 98: 624–627.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rajashekar, S., Bhat, B.V., Veliath, A.J. et al. Perinatal autopsy—A seven-year study. Indian J Pediatr 63, 511–516 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02905725

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02905725

Key words

Navigation