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Volume 27 Issue 2

Neonatal Autopsy in Contemporary Practice: Global Trends and Challenges

Aditya Bhatt, Somashekhar N, Dipen Patel, Reshma Pujara

Abstract

This review synthesizes research on neonatal autopsy techniques, ethical considerations, causes of neonatal death and their role in medical education, parental closure, public health policy, historical evolution, current trends, innovations, and demographic and geographic differences to address gaps in understanding diagnostic methods and sociocultural factors influencing autopsy uptake. The review aimed to evaluate newborn autopsy methodologies, benchmark ethical consent processes, identify causes of death, assess educational impacts, and analyze demographic and geographic variations. A systematic analysis of multidisciplinary studies from diverse global settings was conducted, encompassing conventional and minimally invasive autopsy techniques, imaging modalities, and qualitative assessments of parental and community perspectives. The results show that conventional autopsy continues to be the preferred diagnostic method, while minimally invasive autopsy and imaging techniques provide high concordance and enhanced parental acceptance, especially in culturally sensitive settings. Ethical frameworks emphasize culturally tailored consent and community engagement as critical factors for uptake. At the same time, autopsy findings reveal predominant causes of neonatal mortality as prematurity complications, infections, and birth asphyxia, with significant regional variation. The integration of autopsy into medical education enhances diagnostic accuracy and clinical practice, though declining rates necessitate the adoption of less invasive methods. These findings converge to highlight the need for multidisciplinary, context-specific strategies that balance diagnostic rigor with ethical and cultural considerations. The review underscores implications for optimizing neonatal mortality surveillance, enhancing medical training, supporting bereaved families, and forming public health policies worldwide.