POSTMORTEM – WHO SHOULD DECIDE?

Most are aware that even when the cause of death is believed to be known, a postmortem examination can uncover new information that may change the counselling given to parents and be of relevance to future reproductive choices. Without pathology the interpretation of the effects of new therapies and trial outcomes is impaired, yet postmortem rates have been in decline for some time. It is easy to blame the lack of availability of perinatal pathologists or a reluctance of parents to give consent since the difficulties in relation to organ retention, but the attitudes of clinicians to the consent process are also …