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Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2001;85:F4-F7 doi:10.1136/fn.85.1.F4
  • Original article

Consent to autopsy for neonates

  1. H E McHaffiea,
  2. P W Fowlieb,
  3. R Humec,
  4. I A Laingd,
  5. D J Lloyde,
  6. A J Lyond
  1. aMedical Ethics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, bNinewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK, cDepartment of Developmental Medicine, University of Dundee, dSimpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Edinburgh, eAberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
  1. Dr McHaffie, 12 Mayburn Terrace, Loanhead, Midlothian EH20 9EJ, Scotland, UKhazel{at}mchaffie.f9.co.uk
  • Accepted 13 December 2000

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To determine parents' views on autopsy after treatment withdrawal.

DESIGN Face to face interviews with 59 sets of bereaved parents (108 individual parents) for whose 62 babies there had been discussion of treatment withdrawal.

RESULTS All except one couple were asked for permission for postmortem examination; 38% refused. The main reasons for declining were concerns about disfigurement, a wish to have the child left in peace, and a feeling that an autopsy was unnecessary because the parents had no unanswered questions. The diagnosis, the age of the child, and the approach of the consultant appeared to influence consent rates. Of those who agreed to autopsies, 92% were given the results by the neonatologist concerned. Whether or not they had agreed to the procedure, at 13 months no parent expressed regrets about their decision.

CONCLUSIONS Autopsy rates in the East of Scotland stand at 62%. Parents' perceptions are an important element in consent to postmortem examination.

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