Comparison of Clinical Diagnosis and Autopsy Findings of Early Neonatal Deaths: Diagnostic Challenges and the Value of Autopsy in Identifying Rare Pathologies.

Background: In a non-forensic hospital setting, neonatal death within the first week of life is often related to premature birth and/or lung diseases. Without post-mortem examination, the identification of the cause of death may be challenging. Autopsy can confirm the clinical diagnosis, uncover additional information or change the diagnosis. Our study aimed to assess the correlation between the clinical diagnosis and post-mortem findings in early neonatal deaths.

Methods: The retrospective study included autopsy cases with neonatal deaths within the first 7 days of life (arbitrary time interval 2006-2021). Discrepancies between clinical and histopathological findings were classified into 3 groups: (i) full agreement, (ii) additional findings discovered by autopsy, or (iii) autopsy changed the diagnosis.

Results: A cohort of 27 cases could be identified and lung pathologies were the most common finding (56%). Additional findings could be discovered in 48% of cases. Major discrepancies which changed the clinical diagnosis could be found in 11% (n = 3/27) of cases.

Conclusion: Frequently, post-mortem examinations validate the clinical diagnosis while revealing crucial information in a few cases. In these discrepant cases, autopsy findings can provide information for genetic counselling and quality control of clinical management.