Congenital visceral malformations--role of perinatal autopsy in diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES

Congenital malformations are one of the leading causes of perinatal deaths and infant mortality. The objective of the present study is to detect visceral malformations in perinatal autopsies.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of perinatal autopsies performed between 1998 and 2001 was done. Various visceral malformations were noted and categorized as urologic, cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal and miscellaneous.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 62 perinatal autopsies performed, congenital malformations were present in 38.7% of cases. Visceral malformations were observed in 24.1% of cases. Urologic malformations were the commonest (14.1%), followed by cardiac (8%) malformations. Associated external malformations were present in 6/15 cases, cardiac malformations being commonly associated with skeletal malformations.

CONCLUSIONS

In all the cases, internal malformations were not suspected clinically. Thus, autopsy is an invaluable tool for detecting visceral malformations, adding to the clinical diagnosis and providing a feedback to the parents.