The importance of post-mortem examinations of abortions and perinatal deaths.

A retrospective study of post-mortem examinations of abortions and perinatal deaths (104 cases) were undertaken in order to evaluate the clinical importance of the findings. The major disease and the cause of death were clinically diagnosed in about 50% of cases (usually medical abortions and liveborn infants). Only one clinical mis-diagnosis was revealed by autopsy. In an additional 25% of cases (usually spontaneous abortions and intra-uterine deaths) were the major disease and cause of death disclosed by autopsy, leaving about 25% of cases undiagnosed even after post-mortem examination. In considerably more than half the cases, important new information was gained through the autopsy. The study shows that the pathologist can make a considerable contribution to the medical personnel and the family who are dealing with the loss of a young life.