The future of pediatric and perinatal postmortem imaging

Pediatr Radiol. 2015 Apr;45(4):509-16. doi: 10.1007/s00247-014-3266-8. Epub 2015 Apr 1.

Abstract

The field and applications of postmortem imaging are exponentially growing. Its potential to identify the cause of death in trauma and ballistic cases is now properly documented, as well as its use in drug mule identification. In pediatric and perinatal practice, large significant series are less available, except for MRI and central nervous system analysis where scientific evidence is now robust. In this review, after a short historical review and analysis of current problems and challenges, we will try to depict the way we see the future of this subspecialty of postmortem cross-sectional imaging, including all specific situations: terminations of pregnancy, intrauterine death, sudden unexpected infant death and identification issues.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy / trends*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnostic Imaging / trends*
  • Female
  • Forecasting*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pediatrics / trends*
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / trends*
  • United States