Interest of fetal autopsy in induced abortions: comparison of prenatal diagnosis and post mortem examination of 300 fetus

This 3.5-year retrospective study report 300 fetus autopsies after pregnanc y termination because of prenatal diagnosis of malformation. The objective was to evaluate the usefulness of postnatal examination of fetuses and to c ompare the post mortem findings with the prenatal diagnosis. This study inc luded ultrasonography, radiology, karyotype, microbiology, generic counseli ng and derailed pathological evaluation of the fetus : external, macroscopi c microscopic, brain and placenta examination. The results of post mortem e xamination were of paramount importance: they either changed the prenatal d iagnosis hypothesis (20.3 %), provided extensive additional information (41 %), or confirmed the diagnosis hypothesis (38.7 %). This study confirms th e need for fetopathology examination after medical abortion. The pathologis t's contribution to the multidisciplinary management of prenatally diagnose d fetal abnormalities is fundamental in particular for further generic coun seling; a specialized pathologist should be present in all prenatal diagnos is centers.