PubMed · 8935754
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1996. -editorial-00.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8935754/
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Using a records-linkage system, we determined the frequency and distribution of brain autopsies in residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, in whom parkinsonism developed during 1976 through 1990. Of the 364 incident cases identified, 235 patients were deceased at the time of record abstraction. The overall autopsy rate was low (23%). Diagnostic certainty (for PD), diagnostic type (PD versus other parkinsonism), sex, age at death, and location at death were important selection factors for autopsy.
Three children, two girls aged 8 and 12 months and one boy aged 7 weeks, were found dead unexpectedly. Autopsy revealed pneumonia in two children, following which the diagnosis of 'natural, explained death' was made; one child showed no abnormalities and the diagnosis read 'natural, unexplained death' (cot death). Autopsy may currently only be performed with parental permission or, in case of doubt about unnatural cause of death, by order of the public prosecutor. The authors propose routine performance of a protocolled autopsy by GP, pediatrician, pathologist and medical examiner in order to avoid subsequent and possibly incorrect doubt about the cause of death.