Correlation between prenatal ultrasound and fetal autopsy findings in fetal anomalies terminated in the second trimester: A preliminary report

Abstract

Objective: Comparison of major/minor anomaly findings in fetal autopsies evaluated following the termination of pregnancies based on major fetal anomalies detected by prenatal ultrasound examination in the second trimester. Study Design: In a 15 month-long prospective study fetal autopsy results of 43 cases with major and minor anomalies were analyzed. Results: Of the 43 cases with major fetal anomalies diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound examination, 49% had CNS anomaly, 19% had kidney and urinary tract anomaly, 7% had congenital heart disease, 7% had Meckel Gruber Syndrome, 5% had nonimmun hidrops, 5% had limb anomaly. All of these major anomalies were confirmed by fetal autopsy (100% success rate in major anomalies). Success rate in prenatal ultrasonography for major + minor anomalies was determined as 80%. Additional minor anomalies detected in fetal autopsies were 16%. Four percent (4%) of the minor anomalies detected by prenatal ultrasonography could not be confirmed during autopsy. Conclusion: Fetal autopsy following the termination of pregnancy provides additional information in evaluation of fetal anomalies on top of prenatal ultrasonography findings.