Study of cardiovascular anomalies in perinatal autopsies

Aim: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the spectrum of cardiac findings in perinatal autopsy population. Materials and Methods: Study done over a period of 2 years (June 2016-June 2018). Total 200 perinatal autopsies were performed. The present autopsy study was conducted in the department of Pathology in a tertiary care centre, over a period of two years. All perinatal autopsies diagnosed as congenital heart disease carried out during the study period were included in the study. Detail clinical history regarding age of the mother, pregnancy complications, presenting complaints was taken. Thorough morphological examination of heart was carried out. The diagnosis of congenital heart disease was confirmed and the case was included in the study. Consent was taken from ethical committee of the institute prior to commencement of study. Results: Out of 200 perinatal autopsies 10 cases showed cardiac anomalies (Table 3), in which 6 cases were associated with other anomalies and remaining were isolated cases. All the cases were of intrauterine death (induced or spontaneous). Gestational age ranged between 12-40 weeks (Table 1). Weight of the foetuses ranged between 500g-2000g (Table 2). 10 different anomalies were noted in this study. Conclusion: Fetal and pediatric cardiac autopsies have a crucial role in the counseling of parents with regard to both the cause of death of their fetus or child and the implications of such findings for future pregnancies, as well as for quality assurance of antenatal screening programs and antemortem diagnostic procedures. Cardiac abnormalities are found in up to 35% of fetal autopsies, and only about 50% of those abnormalities can be detected antenatally.