[Fetal or neonatal autopsy and genetic counseling. Experience of the Human Genetic Service of Liège].

From January 1976 to June 1984, 308 necropsies were performed on neonates and fetuses of various gestational age, mainly coming from hospitals of the province of Liege. 41% of the necropsied infants have at least one malformation and 34% of the malformed show multiple birth defects. There were 17 anatomo-clinic diagnoses of chromosomal aberrations but only 12 cases were confirmed by caryotype, for practical or technical reasons. One third of the parents of the necropsied infants came for genetic counselling with a high recurrence risk in 13% of the advices. For further improvement of the possibilities of diagnosis, we are pleading in favour of more frequent radiological and chromosomal fetal examinations. This must lead us to better convince obstetricians and neonatologists and get more favourable practical conditions to carry out the necropsies.