The fetal adrenal gland: lipid distribution with associated intrauterine hypoxia

The adrenal glands of 134 fetuses, either stillborn or dying within 24 h, were studied to ascertain the lipid droplet pattern in the fetal cortex. The findings were correlated with the associated placental pathology and clinical features. Three patterns were identified (types I, II and III), representing increasing amounts of coarse lipid droplets. The type III pattern showed the most lipid accumulation and occurred in cases where the placental pathology or the clinical situation was indicative of fetal hypoxia.