Year: 2026 | Month: February | Volume: 16 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 45-50
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260207
Autopsy-Based Assessment of Congenital Malformations in Fetal and Perinatal Deaths
Ankita A Muktawar1, Rajesh H Chandan2, Shwetha Sherikar3, Sunita S Vernekar4
1Senior Resident, Department of Pathology, 2Professor, Department of Pathology, 3Senior Resident, Department of Pathology, 4Professor and Head of Department, Department of Pathology,
KMCRI, Hubballi College, RGUHS University, Hubballi, India.
Corresponding Author: Ankita A Muktawar
ABSTRACT
Background: Congenital malformations are a major cause of fetal and perinatal mortality in developing countries. Despite advances in prenatal diagnosis, many anomalies remain undetected, making fetal autopsy essential for accurate evaluation.
Methods: This combined retrospective and prospective autopsy-based study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, KMCRI, Hubballi, from July 2017 to June 2020. Among 400 fetal autopsies, 120 cases with congenital anomalies (20 weeks of gestation to 7 days postnatal life) were analysed. Detailed gross and histopathological examinations were performed, and maternal and fetal variables were assessed descriptively.
Results: Congenital malformations were identified in 34% of cases. Most fetuses were 20–24 weeks of gestation (55.8%) and weighed 350–1000 g (79.2%). Male predominance was noted (56.7%). Central nervous system anomalies were most frequent (47.5%), followed by musculoskeletal (28.3%) and genitourinary (23.3%) defects. Anencephaly and meningomyelocele were the commonest lesions. Multiple system involvement occurred in 27% of cases.
Conclusion: Fetal autopsy remains the gold standard for detecting and characterising congenital anomalies and is indispensable for determining the cause of death and guiding future genetic counselling.
Key words: Congenital anomalies, Fetal autopsy, Perinatal mortality.