Case reports in foetal and perinatal pathology

Abstract

Case reports in Foetal and Perinatal Pathology are rare. This scarcity reflects the fact that Foetal and Perinatal Pathology is a shortage specialty. In this Editorial, the reasons for the dearth of this kind of published literature will be discussed, the need for well-documented case reports in Foetal and Perinatal Pathology will be highlighted and their clinical and educational value will be explained. Editorial Developmental, Foetal, Perinatal and Placental Pathology are disciplines that form a distinct subspecialty of Paediatric Pathology. Abbreviated as ‘Perinatal Pathology’, they are mainly based on the autopsy of the foetus and infant and the examination of the placenta. In practice, a Perinatal Pathology unit covers embryonic, foetal, perinatal, neonatal, placental and infant pathology. The perinatal pathologist is called to perform the autopsy of the demised foetus or infant in cases of spontaneous abortion, intrauterine death or termination of pregnancy. In all instances, the autopsy report is meant to shed light not only to the cause of death but also to the aetiologic factors and pathogenetic mechanisms of the adverse pregnancy outcome, addressing all the clinical questions and clarifying the significance of pathological findings. In cases of pregnancy termination, the autopsy report of a trained and experienced perinatal pathologist often provides additional clinically significant information and