title: What does fetal autopsy unmask in oligohydramnios?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine the value of autopsy in fetuses with antenatally diagnosed oligohydramnios.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated all fetal losses over a period of 6.5 years. Those with oligohydramnios on antenatal scan were critically analyzed. Oligohydramnios was defined as amniotic fluid index of less than five objectively or as an obvious lack of liquor at subjective assessment. A detailed postmortem examination was carried out in all the fetuses after obtaining an informed consent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fetal autopsy was conducted in 255 cases. Fifty-five (21.5%) fetuses were diagnosed to have oligohydramnios on antenatal ultrasonography. On analysis of antenatal causes of oligohydramnios, maternal/placental factors were noted in 18%, ultrasound findings known to affect amniotic fluid in 27% while cause remained unidentified in 54.5% of cases. On autopsy, fetal malformations were noted in 61.8% cases, intrauterine growth retardation in 21.8% fetuses and no obvious malformations in 16.3% fetuses. Renal anomalies were noted in 40% cases and non-renal malformations in 21.8% cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The postmortem examination helped us to identify the cause of fetal loss in 46 (83.6%) fetuses with antenatal oligohydramnios. A working diagnosis could not have been established without autopsy in 19 (34.5%) cases.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Genetics and.
authors.forename: Shalini S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Genetics and.
authors.forename: Anju
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.affiliation: b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University , Manipal , Karnataka , India.
authors.forename: Sreelakshmi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kodandapani
authors.affiliation: b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University , Manipal , Karnataka , India.
authors.forename: Prashanth K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Adiga
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Genetics and.
authors.forename: Katta M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Girisha
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: Amniotic fluid; anhydramnios; fetal anomalies; genetic counseling; malformation; ultrasonography