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Article Dans Une Revue Forensic Science International Année : 2004

Value of fetal autopsy after medical termination of pregnancy

Résumé

We carried out a retrospective study of 352 medical terminations of pregnancy (MTP) carried out in a large French administrative region over two consecutive years. We analysed the indications for MTP and then compared the prenatal ultrasound diagnosis with fetal autopsy findings in order to demonstrate the value of pathological examination of the fetus in prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling as well as the need to check by autopsy the quality of ultrasound screening. Preliminary analysis of the indication for these MTP showed that in 69.9% ultrasound screening had been carried out, revealing mainly brain abnormalities (22.2%) and heart defects generally associated with chromosomal abnormalities (32.1%). Prenatal findings were in agreement with autopsy results, showing no false-positive prenatal diagnoses. However, in 7.9% of cases in which brain abnormalities were detected, confirmation was not possible at autopsy because of tissue autolysis, showing the need for optimal conditions of expulsion. In 35.8% of cases, confirmation of the diagnosis by autopsy was not useful for management but still added to medical knowledge and demonstrated to the mother the reality of the defects. In 50.9%, the autopsy findings
were decisive for genetic counselling.
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Dates et versions

halshs-00004918 , version 1 (31-10-2006)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : halshs-00004918 , version 1

Citer

Marie-Dominique Piercecchi-Marti, A. Liprandi, Sabine Sigaudy, C. Fredouille, Pascal Adalian, et al.. Value of fetal autopsy after medical termination of pregnancy. Forensic Science International, 2004, 144, pp.7-10. ⟨halshs-00004918⟩

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