Integration of magnetic resonance imaging into the prenatal diagnosis of antenatal fetal demise
Korostyshevskaya A.M., Gornostaeva A.М., Vyatchinina A.N.
Antenatal fetal demise (AFD) remains a serious problem in modern obstetrics, accompanied by a high rate of stillbirths and significant psycho-emotional consequences. Traditionally, diagnosis is based on ultrasound examination; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is becoming increasingly important in identifying both the occurrence of fetal death and its causes. MRI enables the visualization of congenital malformations, placental and umbilical cord pathology, signs of intrauterine hypoxia and structural brain changes that may go undetected on an ultrasound scan. There is a need for a comprehensive assessment integrating clinical, laboratory, ultrasound and pathomorphological data, along with the radiologist’s involvement in the patient management.
The clinical algorithm developed for the management of pregnant women with confirmed or suspected AFD ensures consistent collaboration among specialists, namely radiologists, obstetricians and geneticists, when deciding on the management strategy and mode of delivery. MRI can serve as a navigational tool before selective autopsy, which is a targeted pathological examination, followed by the creation of a joint pathological conclusion. The timely detection of AFD on MRI helps to reduce the risk of maternal complications and recurrent pregnancy loss.
Conclusion. The integration of MRI into prenatal diagnostics improves the accuracy of determining the causes and timing of AFD, promotes a personalized obstetric approach and enhances the system of perinatal care.
Authors’ contributions. Korostyshevskaya A.M. – developing the concept and design of the study, writing the text of the article; Gornostaeva A.M. – literature review, text editing and design of the article; Vyatchinina A.N. – general review of the article as a practicing clinician and the chairman of the prenatal council of Novosibirsk.
Conflicts of interest. Authors declare lack of the possible conflicts of interests.
Funding. The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
Ethical Approval. This work was approved by the local ethics committee of the International Tomographic Center, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Protocol No. 36 of 29 February 2024).
Generative Artificial Intelligence. In the process of preparing the article, the manuscript was edited using the ChatGPT language model (version 4o, OpenAI) to correct grammatical and punctuation errors and eliminate repetitions in the text. The final version of the article was fully reviewed and approved by the authors, who are solely responsible for its content.
For citation: Korostyshevskaya A.M., Gornostaeva A.М., Vyatchinina A.N.
Integration of magnetic resonance imaging into the prenatal diagnosis of antenatal fetal demise.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (7): 170-175 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.85
Keywords
antenatal fetal demise
fetal MRI
thanatoradiology
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Received 12.03.2026
Accepted 05.06.2026
About the Authors
Aleksandra M. Korostyshevskaya, Dr. Med. Sci., Leading Researcher, International Tomographic Center, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090, Russia, Novosibirsk, Institutskaya str., 3a, +7(903)903-34-36, koro@tomo.nsc.ruAlyona M. Gornostaeva, Junior Researcher, International Tomographic Center, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences; Radiologist, Avicenna Medical Center, Mother and Child Group of Companies, 630007, Russia, Novosibirsk, Kommunisticheskaya str., 17/1, +7(923)113-71-41, am.popkova@yandex.ru
Anna N. Vyatchinina, PhD, obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest category, Chief Physician, Clinical Center for Family Health and Reproduction, 630136, Russia, Novosibirsk, Kievskaya str., 1, +7(913)955-73-99, m3418100@yandex.ru
Corresponding author: Alyona M. Gornostaeva, am.popkova@yandex.ru
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