To learn what bone length is normal in postmortem fetal radiography ("babygram"); To learn if bone lengthcan be typical for a certain disease. To learn the diagnostic value of the babygram in diagnosing congenital malformations and cause of death.

In case of a deceased fetus, both spontaneously and after termination of pregnancy with congenital malformations, a definite diagnosis is very important. A definite diagnosis willindicate the cause of death and the reason for the malformations, helping the parents understand why their baby could not live. Also a diagnosis is needed for genetic counseling of the parents and family. A babygram is a diagnostic tool in the total workup of deceased fetuses, consisting of antero-posterior and lateral images of the total fetus, and added images...

Method: We retrospectively evaluated the babygrams made in our university hospital from november 2002 until september 2011 that were available in digital version in Impax 6.4. We excluded babies who survived more than 48 hours after birth. We measured the following: skull length en width; crown rump length; vertebral heigth and interpedicular width of C7, Th12 and L5; lengthand widthof humerus, ulna, radius, metacarpal 2, femur, tibia, fibula, metatarsal 2 (fig.4) andcalculated ratios length to width. Further we calculated ratios for crown rump length to...

We conclude that the babygram is not a valuable diagnostic tool in general. In cases with suspicion of skeletal malformation or dysplasia the babygram will be helpful in establishing a final diagnosis; in our study this is only a minority of cases. In cases not suspected of skeletal dysplasia or major skeletal malformation, a babygram is not useful. The diagnostic values of postmortem CT and MRI, which have the advantage of better visualisation of both brain, organs, bone and cartilage, will be investigated next.

Willemijn M. Klein, MD, PhD pediatric radiologist University Medical Center Nijmegen St.-Radboud Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10 6525 GA Nijmegen the Netherlands [email protected]

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