Evaluation of relative frequency of pulmonary hypoplasia and various anomalies associated with pulmonary hypoplasia in fetal autopsy study

Objective: Pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) is one of the commonest causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The suggested diagnostic criteria for PH are the Lung Weight:Body Weight (LW:BW) ratio [less than or equal to] 0.012 and/or Radial Alveolar Count (RAC) [less than or equal to] 4.1. The present study was done to determine the relative frequency of PH in fetal autopsy study by the LW:BW ratio and RAC along with evaluation of the defects/anomalies associated with PH. Material and Methods: A prospective observational study was done on fetal autopsy specimens in the Department of Pathology. Examination and grossing were done as per the standard format of fetal autopsy study. Evaluation of PH was done using the LW:BW ratio and RAC. Diagnostic criteria for PH were taken as LW:BW ratio