Perinatal autopsy service

When the cause of a perinatal death is unclear, discuss the value of an autopsy with the infant’s parents.

This information helps CCOPMM provide expert advice on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Placental pathology

Send the placenta for pathological examination in all cases of fetal death, and where possible for all early neonatal deaths, including:

• neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
• small for gestational age
• pre-term delivery under 34 weeks
• antepartum haemorrhage
• suspected chorioamnionitis
• diabetes
• preeclampsia
• macroscopic placental abnormalities.

Take cultures from the fetal surface of the placenta in cases of actual or suspected infection.

About the Victorian Perinatal Autopsy Service (VPAS)

VPAS is fully funded for parents who need it.

Services are coordinated by three specialist perinatal pathology services at The Royal Women’s Hospital (the Women’s), Monash Health and Mercy Hospital for Women, and their associated pathology departments at the Austin and the Royal Children’s Hospital