Contribution of fetopathological examination in identifying causes of neonatal deaths

Authors

  • Kaouther Nasri Department of Embryo-Fetopathology, Center of Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, 7021 Zarzouna, Bizerte, Tunisia.
  • Nadia Ben Jamaa Department of Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunisia
  • Yousri Ben Hammed Department of Neonatalogy, Center of Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1007 Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Meriem Cheour Department of Neonatalogy, Center of Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1007 Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Imen Ksibi Department of Neonatalogy, Center of Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1007 Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Samia Kacem Department of Neonatalogy, Center of Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1007 Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Soumeya Siala Gaigi Department of Embryo-Fetopathology, Center of Maternity and Neonatology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, 1007 Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i4.5473

Keywords:

Neonatal deaths, Neonatological clinical examination, Fetopathological examination

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the concordance between the causes of death reported in the neonatal departement and the data obtained from the fetopathologic examination.

Methods: We included all newborns admitted to the Neonatal Resuscitation Unit who died there before the 28th day of life and in whom a fetopathological examination was performed.

Results: The causes of neonatal deaths were characterized by the dominance of respiratory pathologies (31%) then palliative cares (18%), neurological causes (9%), heart disease (9%), inherited diseases of metabolism (6%) and sudden deaths (6%). A total concordance between fetopathological and neonatological examinations was noted in 27% of the cases, a partial concordance in 40%, a total discordance in 27%, and in only 6% of the cases the fetopathological examination didn’t show any abnormalities.

Conclusion: We emphasize of the importance of fetopathological examination in the determination of the cause of neonatal deaths by providing an exhaustive diagnosis essential to the management of future pregnancies.

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2025-03-30

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