Autopsy Findings of Fetal Death
Pilaiwan Kleebkaow MD*, Thawalwong Ratanasiri MD*, Ratana Komwilaisak MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Objective : To study the autopsy findings associated with fetal death in the division of reproductive pathology.
Materials and Methods : Descriptive study of 35 fetal deaths with placentas after postmortem examinations in
the division of reproductive pathology between January 2005 and December 2005. The fetal deaths and
placentas were examined by a perinatal pathologist in the surgical pathology room, Department of Pathology
and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. The demographic
data of the mothers, the gestational age from obstetric information, diagnosis before abortus or delivery. The
postmortem examinations including abnormal macroscopic or microscopic findings were analyzed.
Results : The associated pathologies of fetal death could be identified 87.5% for groups of fetal weight less
than 500grams and in 77.8% for groups of fetal weight 500 grams or more. The most common associated
pathology of fetal death in both groups was congenital anomaly, was 50% and 25.9% respectively. Macerated
fetuses were found in 48.2% of all cases. Causes of macerated groups were identified in 66.7% of cases.
Hydropic fetuses were 14.3% (5 cases) of all fetal deaths in which the cause of death was identified before
delivery in two cases and was identified in postmortem examination in one case. Thus, the identified causes of
fetal death in hydrops fetalis were 60%.
Conclusion : Most common associated pathology of fetal deaths is congenital anomaly.
Keywords : Postmortem examinations, Fetal death, Associated pathology, Autopsy
