A study of the quality of perinatal autopsy in the former Northern Region

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Abstract
Objective To assess the quality of perinatal autopsy.Design Review of all reports of post mortem examinations carried out following perinatal deaths from January 1994 to June 1994.Population Former Northern Region of England.Methods Assessment of post mortem reports concerning their content and interpretation, the assessment carried out by panel comprising a pathologist, obstetrician and paediatrician.Results Reports were available for all 104 cases where post mortem examinations had been undertaken, of which 53 (51%) met the minimum standards for such autopsies proposed by the Royal College of Pathologists. Interpretative comments were judged to be adequate in 51 (49%).Conclusions The quality of perinatal autopsies is frequently poor. Improvement requires increased awareness of the potential value of the autopsy, and more consultation between pathologists, obstetricians and paediatricians.

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