Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Test Name/Synonym:

Fetal Autopsy Exam; (Synonyms: AUT, Fetus, Perinatal, Stillborn)

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB10

Specimen Type:

Tissue

Specimen Source:

Autopsy

Primary Container:

Body Containment Bag or appropriately sized container

Specimen Collection Requirements:

Any form of examination of fetus/fetal parts requires an autopsy consent form.

Refer to Client Resource-Autopsy Requests Guideline - for identification requirements and additional required paperwork.

Fetus/Fetal Tissue/Stillborn- Equal to or Greater Than 20 weeks Gestation (Registrable):

RAH/UAH/RDRH: Send the fetus and placenta to the morgue together
ACH: All placentas must be sent to laboratory. Fetus sent to morgue.

Site	Fetus	Placenta
ACH	Fresh	Fresh
RDRH	Fresh	Formalin
RAH/UAH	Fresh	Fresh/Formalin

The placenta must be appropriately labeled with the mother’s information.

Fetus/Fetal Tissue – Less Than 20 Weeks Gestation (Non-Registrable Deaths): Submit the tissue in an appropriately sized container with or without fixative as outlined in the table above, as soon as possible to laboratory. If there is an intact fetus, send the fetus and placenta to the histology laboratory together (they can be in separate containers).

Exception: If fetus shows signs of life at birth (registerable death), treated the same as a >20 weeks fetus for transport.

Test Resources:

Client Resource-Autopsy Requests Guideline

Autopsy Consent and Consultation Request AHS 20597

Requisition for Constitutional Cytogenetic and FISH Services

Anatomical Pathology Requisition (Consultation Request)

Fetal Autopsy

Stability and Storage:

Refrigerate, until next working day, maximum 3 days, if immediate transport not possible.

Transportation:

For performing site destination, refer to Flow Chart for Autopsies on Perinatal Patients (section 3.4.2) in Client Resource-Autopsy Requests Guideline

Fetus under 20 weeks:
Lab will arrange for transportation of fetuses under 20 weeks gestation to the appropriate autopsy location.

Grande Prairie Regional Hospital (GPRH): transportation arranged by hospital unit.

Fetus/Fetal Tissue/Stillborn- Equal to or Greater than 20 weeks Gestation:
The receiving facility will be invoiced for the transport one way; the family of the deceased is responsible for the arrangement of pick-up through a funeral home or may choose to participate in the local free burial program (where available).

Routine Turn Around Time:

Typically, the deceased is available for release within 48 hours of death. Preliminary reports available within 3 business days, final reports within 60 days.

Testing Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Upon request on weekends in Calgary and Edmonton.

Testing Area:

Anatomic Pathology

Performing Site:

Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH)
Red Deer Regional Hospital (RDRH)
University of Alberta (UAH)
Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH)

Additional Test Information:

Impending death or death with suspected/known metabolic disease:
Metabolic autopsies are STAT. During routine work hours, call or page autopsy staff. After hours contact resident on call for Anatomic Pathology. See Contact/Comments.

If the death occurs on a weekend and parents request immediate release of the body, contact the pathologist on call.

If Cytogenetic testing is requested, complete an AHS Requisition for Constitutional Cytogenetic Services.

Contact Comments:

Refer to Client Resource-Autopsy Requests Guideline for complete contact information.

Metabolic Disease Service at Alberta Children’s Hospital
Phone (ACH) 403-955-7211

Metabolic Disease Service at University of Alberta Hospital:
Phone: 780-407-8936

Edmonton Zone: Report Inquiries - AHS Health Records (autopsy results):
Phone: 780-407-6997 or disclosure@albertahealthservices.ca

Last Updated On:

Monday, June 8, 2026