A perinatal mortality survey in south-east London, 1970-73: the pathological findings in 726 necropsies.

The primary necropsy finding are presented for 726 perinatal deaths; the classification of the 1958 British Perinatal Mortality Survey is used, and results of the two surveys are compared. Lethan malformation has replaced intrapartum hypoxia as the most common cause of perinatal death. There has been substantial reduction in intracranial trauma but an increase in intraventricular haemorrhage and, possible, extrapulmonary infection. Chromosome abnormalities occurred in 28 of 500 karyotyped infants (5-6 per cent). Indications for genetic counselling, and antenatal diagnosis in any subsequent pregnancy, were apparent in 10 per cent of cases.