title: Broadsheet number 56: Mechanisms of fetal loss.
abstract: The most significant task of the pathologist examining a fetal death is, if possible, the provision of an explanation for the event, which will allow the clinical attendants to counsel the family in an informed and relevant manner. In some cases, no adequate explanation will be possible, though many conditions will be excluded and the importance of this exercise is worth emphasising. Often, however, a combination of fetal, maternal or placental conditions can be found and a full or partial explanation offered, and it is the purpose of this broadsheet to highlight some of these conditions and provide suggestions as to sources of further practical help.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005333:Fetus / Q000473:pathology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy