[Value of fetopathological examination in medical abortions: comparison of prenatal diagnosis and autopsy results of 300 fetuses].

This 3.5-year retrospective study report 300 fetus autopsies after pregnancy termination because of prenatal diagnosis of malformation. The objective was to evaluate the usefulness of postnatal examination of fetuses and to compare the post mortem findings with the prenatal diagnosis. This study included ultrasonography, radiology, karyotype, microbiology, genetic counseling and detailed pathological evaluation of the fetus: external, macroscopic, microscopic, brain and placenta examination. The results of post mortem examination were of paramount importance: they either changed the prenatal diagnosis hypothesis (20.3%), provided extensive additional information (41%), or confirmed the diagnosis hypothesis (38.7%). This study confirms the need for fetopathology examination after medical abortion. The pathologist's contribution to the multidisciplinary management of prenatally diagnosed fetal abnormalities is fundamental in particular for further genetic counseling; a specialized pathologist should be present in all prenatal diagnosis centers.