The importance of fetal autopsy: An institutional review and development of best practices for reporting size and estimating gestational age at demise

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Fetal and neonatal autopsy offers critical insight into disease processes and clinical decision-making in reproductive medicine. Elucidating the cause of death and gaining a deeper understanding of the entities leading to fetal demise aids in anticipatory guidance for physicians and patients. Accurate assessment of growth and dating of fetuses is an important aspect of classifying pathology in the fetal and neonatal population. This study aims to optimize the autopsy approach to sizing and dating discrepancies, in addition to exploring the current trends in causes of stillbirth, with respect to placental, fetal/neonatal, and maternal factors, and rates of cases that remain undetermined after autopsy. Methods A single-institution retrospective review of autopsy reports from mid-2008 through 2021 revealed 243 complete perinatal autopsy examinations. Results Placental cause of demise was identified in 46% of cases. Cause of demise was undetermined in 22% of cases. Evaluation of a subset of cases exposed minimal to no reporting of size and/or dating discrepancies in almost half of cases with undetermined cause of death. Conclusions “Best practice” suggestions for sizing and dating fetuses/neonates in the postmortem period have been developed to aid in delivering clear, consistent reports. Because fetal and neonatal autopsy is an invaluable tool for understanding the factors that contribute to stillbirth, it is important to use appropriate sizing and dating methods and consistent language to deliver proper patient education and clinical guidance.