The perinatal autopsy: pertinent issues in multicultural Western Europe.
Western Europe is in a demographic transition with increasing multicultural societies. Health professionals have to understand the background, religious and cultural aspects of parents to counsel them regarding an autopsy in the event of a perinatal loss. Autopsy rates have declined over the past decades, the major limiting factor being the granting of permission for an autopsy, possibly because of adverse publicity or reluctance of doctors to obtain consent. Autopsy has proved its value in revealing unsuspected findings. The public can be convinced of this utility by means of good information notwithstanding their religious or cultural background.
Gordijn
Sanne J
SJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Groningen, P.O. Box 30001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. s.j.gordijn@og.umcg.nl
Erwich
Jan Jaap H M
JJ
Khong
T Yee
TY
D001344:Autopsy / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D003469:Culture; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D033282:Parental Consent / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012067:Religion; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000208:ethnology*