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.