Original articles

Vol. 117: Issue 4 - August 2025

Data-driven insights into post-autopsy consultations: causes of perinatal mortality and parental outcomes

Authors

Rosario Barranco , Matteo Lorenzoni , Francesco Ausania , Francesco Ventura , Riccardo Guglielmo , Maria Teresa Divizia , Simone Ferrero , Pierangela De Biasio , Cesare Arioni , Chiara Maria Biatta , Gabriele Gaggero , michele paudice , Valerio Vellone

Key words: Fetal Death, Postmortem Examination, Post-autopsy consultation, Placental Pathology, Emotional Response
DOI: 10.32074/1591-951X-N1059
Publication Date: 2025-10-17

Abstract

Objective. Perinatal mortality deeply affects parents and healthcare providers. Post-autopsy consultations (PACs) help parents understand the causes of fetal death and offer emotional support. This study evaluates their effectiveness in emotional healing, preventing medico-legal disputes, and identifying key death causes.

Methods. This retrospective study analyzes 360 fetal autopsies at San Martino Hospital, Genoa (2013-2021). Among them, 120 parents sought PACs. Causes of fetal death were classified using the relevant condition at death (ReCoDe) system, and parental emotional outcomes were evaluated based on consultation timing.

Results. Fetal causes, mainly congenital anomalies, accounted for 52.5% of deaths, while placental causes were 46.7%. PACs performed within 5 months of loss led to better emotional outcomes, whereas delayed PACs were linked to ongoing distress. Parents who attended with partners reported greater emotional stability. Additionally, PACs helped reduce medico-legal disputes by clarifying causes of death.

Conclusions. PACs are crucial for helping parents cope with fetal loss, offering emotional closure and reducing legal disputes. A multidisciplinary approach with clear communication from healthcare professionals addresses both the medical and emotional aspects of perinatal mortality. Tailored follow-up care is essential for supporting grieving parents and managing future pregnancies.

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Authors

Rosario Barranco - Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2838-7716

Matteo Lorenzoni - Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, Italy

Francesco Ausania - Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Section of Forensic Medicine, University of Verona, Italy

Francesco Ventura - Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Riccardo Guglielmo - Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2932-9235

Maria Teresa Divizia - Genomics & Clinical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8776-0015

Simone Ferrero - Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2225-5568

Pierangela De Biasio - Prenatal Diagnosis and Perinatal Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy

Cesare Arioni - Neonatology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy

Chiara Maria Biatta - Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV), Padua, Italy

Gabriele Gaggero - Pathology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9098-563X

michele paudice - Department of Integrated Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences (DISC), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4188-4247

Valerio Vellone - Gaslini

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Copyright

Copyright (c) 2025 Società Italiana di Anatomia Patologica e Citopatologia Diagnostica, Divisione Italiana della International Academy of Pathology

How to Cite
Barranco, R. ., Lorenzoni, M., Ausania, F., Ventura, F., Guglielmo, R., Divizia, M. T., Ferrero, S., De Biasio, P., Arioni, C., Biatta, C. M., Gaggero, G., paudice, michele, & Vellone, V. (2025). Data-driven insights into post-autopsy consultations: causes of perinatal mortality and parental outcomes. Pathologica - Journal of the Italian Society of Anatomic Pathology and Diagnostic Cytopathology, 117(4). https://doi.org/10.32074/1591-951X-N1059
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