PATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF FETAL SPECIMENS FROM DILATION AND EVACUATION PROCEDURES

The systematic examination of fetal specimens obtained from dilation a nd evacuation (D and E) procedures with termination of pregnancy for f etal malformations and chromosomal abnormalities is described. Althoug h a D and E procedure does not yield an intact fetus, pathologic exami nation of fetal parts by use of radiography, gross dissection, microsc opic examination, and/or cell culture for karyotyping or biochemical a nalysis can aid in confirming most prenatal clinical diagnoses or prov ide a specific diagnosis. In this study, a major abnormality could be detected in 92% of 37 D and E cases examined, and in 46% a specific di agnosis was obtained only from pathologic examination. This informatio n is useful for genetic counselling and future family planning.