Survey of women's reactions to perinatal necropsy

Value of perinatal necropsy examination.

In a retrospective study of 150 stillbirths and 150 neonatal deaths carried out between 1981 and 1985 the necropsy findings were compared with the clinical diagnoses, which had been obtained from the postmortem request form, and the case notes completed before the necropsy was performed. In all cases the necropsy comprised macroscopic findings and histological examination of all organs, with mi...

Ultrasound in the perinatal necropsy.

Although plain and contrast radiology have become a well established part of the perinatal and fetal necropsy, the role of ultrasound has been less comprehensively explored. We have found a variety of ultrasonographic approaches to be of value in diagnosis, quality control, and teaching. Ultrasound is of particular help where consent for formal necropsy has been declined.

Ethical considerations of the perinatal necropsy.

The perinatal necropsy is an important investigation following fetal or neonatal loss. Legal requirements on registration decree that consent is needed before necropsy can proceed in some of these babies. However, there are ill-defined grey areas which are open to legal and ethical difficulties. This paper discusses the problems that can arise with consent for a necropsy in the perinatal period...

Non-invasive perinatal necropsy by magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND AT present necropsy is done in less than 60% of cases of perinatal death in the UK, despite the value of the procedure to the bereaved parents and their doctors. This low rate reflects the difficulty in discussing the examination during the acute distress after the death of a baby, and the personal and religious objections of many parents to necropsy. We compared post-mortem magnetic...

Challenges to womens reproductive health: maternal mortality