Foamy changes of placental cells in fetal storage disorders

Vacuolar cytoplasm in placental cells was observed in four cases. In each instance the baby was either stillborn or died soon after birth. One infant was shown to have Inclusion cell disease (Mucolipidosis II), whereas in the other cases biochemical studies were noncontributory or could not be carried out. The histologic changes of the placenta described in this report were restricted to the fetal elements and also included the X cells, providing further evidence that these cells are of fetal rather than maternal origin.