Comparison of Prenatal Ultrasound and Autopsy Findings of Fetuses Terminated in Second Trimester: A Five-Year Experience of a Tertiary Center

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the prenatal ultrasonography (US) and the autopsy findings of the fetuses of 12–24th gestational weeks. Methods: This retrospective study comprises 84 fetuses autopsied. The correlation between US and autopsy findings was classified into four categories: (A) Compatible, (B) Minor findings added, (C) Major findings added, and (D) Incompatible. Results: Malformations were the most common medical termination indication. The most frequent findings at autopsy were multiple system findings followed by central nervous system. Prenatal US and autopsy findings were completely compatible in 48 fetuses (57.1%), while additional minor and major autopsy findings were found in 26 (31.0%) and 4 (4.8%), respectively. Autopsy and US findings were incompatible in 6 fetuses (7.1%). Conclusion: Prenatal ultrasound and fetal autopsy are complementary tools to obtain detailed and complete diagnosis of fetal anomalies and fetal autopsy is still a valuable tool to obtain further diagnostic information.

Keywords:

• Prenatal ultrasound
• fetal anomalies
• prenatal diagnosis
• termination of pregnancy
• fetal autopsy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.