Evaluation of Body and Organ Weights in Perinatal Pathology: I. Normal Standards Derived from Autopsies

Abstract

Standards of body length and weight, and organ weight of stillborn and newborn infants have been determined in relation to body weight and gestational age. This information may be used in evaluating autopsy findings in perinatal pathology. Discrepancies between body weight and gestational age should not be dismissed without further investigation as owing to inaccurate information concerning the length of pregnancy. Significant pathologic changes will then become apparent that have frequently been overlooked in the past. The present data relating various measurements to gestational age may be used in evaluating such cases. The limitations of the significance of "normal" measurements in perinatal pathology are discussed.