Contribution of fetopathological examination in identifying causes of neonatal deaths

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the concordance between the causes of death reported in the neonatal departement and the data obtained from the fetopathologic examination. METHODS: We included all newborns admitted to the Neonatal Resuscitation Unit who died there before the 28th day of life and in whom a fetopathological examination was performed. RESULTS: The causes of neonatal deaths were characterized by the dominance of respiratory pathologies (31%) then palliative cares (18%), neurological causes (9%), heart disease (9%), inherited diseases of metabolism (6%) and sudden deaths (6%). A total concordance between fetopathological and neonatological examinations was noted in 27% of the cases, a partial concordance in 40%, a total discordance in 27%, and in only 6% of the cases the fetopathological examination didn't show any abnormalities. CONCLUSION: We emphasize of the importance of fetopathological examination in the determination of the cause of neonatal deaths by providing an exhaustive diagnosis essential to the management of future pregnancies.