Stillbirths

Detailed examination and investigation of malformed fetuses
and stillbirths is essential if parents are to be accurately
counselled about the cause of the problem, the risk of
recurrence, and the availability of prenatal tests in future
pregnancies. As with liveborn infants, careful documentation of
the abnormalities is required with detailed photographic
records. Cardiac blood samples and skin or cord biopsy
specimens should be taken for chromosomal analysis and
bacteriological and virological investigations performed. Other
investigations, including full skeletal x ray examination and
tissue sampling for biochemical studies and DNA extraction,
may be necessary. Autopsy will determine the presence of
associated internal abnormalities, which may permit diagnosis.