The importance of placental examination in all fetal biopsy and postmortem examinations

摘要

The object of our study is to reflect on our experience and to examine the findings of fetal biopsy specimens and postmortem examinations in cases referred for clinically unexpected fetal death in utero (FDIU). Clinically unexpected FDIU indicates absence of known fetal, maternal or placental risk factors, that may have caused the death. This is a network-based cohort study of fetal biopsy specimens and postmortems carried out at Southern Health (which incorporates Monash Medical Centre, Moorabbin, Bentleigh; Monash Medical Centre, Clayton; Dandenong Hospital, Dandenong and Casey Hospital, Berwick, all in Victoria, Australia) from January 2002 to December 2005.