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The pathologist and the hydropic placenta, fetus, or infant
1Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Seminars in Perinatology
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Pathologists identify fetal and placental edema abnormalities and explore their causes. This involves documenting findings and investigating the physiological mechanisms behind edema development.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Fetal Medicine
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Fetal and placental edema are linked to diverse anatomic and histologic abnormalities.
- Accurate diagnosis requires identifying these abnormalities and understanding their role in edema development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a systematic approach for the pathologic examination of hydropic placentas and fetuses.
- To guide pathologists in identifying abnormalities and elucidating edema mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of common and rare causes of fetal and placental edema.
- Pathologic examination protocols for hydropic specimens.
- Correlation of antenatal findings with post-mortem pathology.
Main Results:
- Identification of a wide spectrum of abnormalities associated with edema.
- Challenges in establishing definitive causal mechanisms for edema.
- Importance of considering multiple co-existing pathologies.
Conclusions:
- Pathologists play a crucial role in diagnosing conditions associated with fetal and placental edema.
- Elucidating the precise mechanisms of edema can be complex and investigative.
- A structured examination approach aids in comprehensive diagnosis.