Severe perinatal liver disease associated with fetal thrombotic vasculopathy

CD34 immunostain increases the sensitivity of placental examination for distal fetal vascular malperfusion in liveborn infants

INTRODUCTION

Placental fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM) is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. This retrospective observational analysis was performed to compare the impact of large proximal vessel (global) FVM, established/remote distal villous FVM, and recent (acute) FVM diagnosed by clustered endothelial fragmentation by CD34 immunostaining, on clinical and other placental phenotypes.

METHODS

Clinical and placental phenotypes of 581 consecutive high-risk pregnancies with a live birth divided in five groups based on presence and type of FVM were analyzed. CD34 immunostaining was performed on all cases to refine the diagnosis of FVM. The statistical analysis was by ANOVA and Chi square.

RESULTS

FVM was present in 88% of placentas from pregnancies dominated by congenital anomalies. 43% of those had global FVM (partial, large proximal vessel) without distal villous changes, either acute (endothelial fragmentation) or established (avascular villi). Acute distal villous FVM without avascular villi did not link with significant perinatal morbidity/mortality, likely because of its short duration. Established distal villous FVM with active endothelial fragmentation, labelled as FVM with temporal heterogeneity, is associated with preterm births, preeclampsia, abnormal Dopplers, fetal growth restriction, highest cesarean section rate, and high grade FVM, particularly the latter.

DISCUSSION

Lesions of global FVM are common, featuring relatively low sensitivity for perinatal complications. Caution is indicated in assigning significance to isolated lesions such as fetal vascular ectasia, intramural fibrin deposition and stem vessel obliteration. Established and on-going FVM diagnosed by using CD34 immunostain, is much more significant and portends the most complicated perinatal outcomes.

Case report: A case of fetal umbilical vein varix presenting disseminated intravascular coagulation, polycythemia, and neonatal hepatitis in an extremely low birth weight infant

Reports on the clinical course of fetal umbilical vein varix in premature infants are limited. We report a case of an extremely low body weight infant with intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation, polycythemia, and hyperbilirubinemia after birth; late-onset neonatal hepatitis; and fetal thrombotic vasculopathy confirmed by placental histopathology. Ultrasonography after birth showed a dilated portion of the umbilical vein at the hepatic hilum with thrombi inside. We speculate that the umbilical vein varix caused the fetal thrombotic vasculopathy, and the presence of umbilical vein varix and fetal thrombotic vasculopathy in combination with prematurity caused coagulopathy, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and hepatitis. Despite the favorable outcomes reported in the literature, premature infants with umbilical vein varix may require careful observation and management for coagulopathy and late-onset hepatitis. Furthermore, placental histopathology could aid in the understanding of various clinical outcomes in infants with umbilical vein varices.

Inferior vena cava syndrome in neonates: An evidence-based systematic review of the literature

Neonatal inferior vena cava syndrome (IVCS), though uncommon, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Information on risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes is limited. This review comprised 61 neonates across 33 reports. Thrombosis occurred in 98% and 42% involved a central venous catheter. Diagnosis was mainly established by ultrasound in 82%. Therapeutically, heparin was employed in 36% and thrombolysis in 18% of the cases. The overall mortality was 23%. An algorithm of clinical signs, investigation, and management is presented. Well-designed prospective studies are needed to establish a concrete investigational approach to neonatal IVCS and institute safe, evidence-based treatment.

A practical guide to placental examination for forensic pathologists

The placenta is a complex interface organ that may hold clues to the reasons for fetal, neonatal or maternal demise. For this reason, placental examination should be a mandatory part of all perinatal or maternal autopsies. While published protocols for the examination of the placenta exist, they are often not adopted. The following review provides practical guidelines for placental examination, with discussion of specific medical conditions that can negatively impact upon the fetus, neonate or mother involving placental pathology to cause death. The review aims to discuss concepts, with illustrations, that forensic pathologists may not routinely focus on in death investigations that may either contribute or mask the cause of a fetal or neonatal death, or are associated with a recurrence risk. While it is recognized that many forensic facilities do not have formal guidelines for placental examination, involvement of local perinatal pathology services in cases is one way of obtaining additional specialist expertise.

CD34 immunostain increases the sensitivity of placental diagnosis of fetal vascular malperfusion in stillbirth

INTRODUCTION

Postmortem regressive placental changes of stillbirth may obscure the pre-existing placental histomorphology. The objective is to find out whether the use of CD34 immunostain can increase the sensitivity of placental examination in the diagnosis of fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM).

METHODS

Twenty six independent clinical and 46 placental variables of 46 placentas from stillbirths were statistically compared to those of 92 placentas from livebirths. One histologically most unremarkable section per case was stained using double E-cadherin/CD34 immunostain (ECCD34). Clusters of avascular/hypovascular chorionic villi on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining system and/or CD34 immunostaining, the latter also including endothelial CD34 positive debris in the villous stroma, were regarded as evidence of FVM.

RESULTS

The gestational age and cesarean section rate were statistically significantly lower and the induction of labor and mild erythroblastosis of fetal blood was higher, but the frequencies of clinical and placental features of umbilical cord compromise were not statistically significant between stillbirths and livebirths, respectively. By using H&E stain, 9 (19.6%) of stillbirths and 30 (32.6%) of livebirths showed clusters of avascular villi on H&E. By CD34, the rates of FVM increased to 23 (50%) and 34 (40%), respectively. The increase was statistically significant for stillbirths only (Chi square = 9.4, p = 0.002). By CD34, new clusters of hypovascular chorionic villi or villi with endothelial fragmentation were found in 23 stillbirth cases (50%) as opposed to livebirths (29 cases, 31.5%)(Chi square = 9.4, p = 0.002).

DISCUSSION

When compared with H&E stain, the CD34 increases sensitivity and/or upgrades FVM in placental examination in stillbirths but not in livebirths.

A poor long-term neurological prognosis is associated with abnormal cord insertion in severe growth-restricted fetuses

OBJECTIVE

To clarify and compare if the neurological outcomes of fetal growth restriction (FGR) cases with abnormal cord insertion (CI) are associated with a higher risk of a poor neurological outcome in subjects aged 3 years or less versus those with normal CI.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients with a birth weight lower than the 3rd percentile, based on the standard reference values for Japanese subjects after 22 weeks' gestation, who were treated at a consortium of nine perinatal centers in Japan between June 2005 and March 2011. Patients whose birth weights were less than the 3rd percentile and whose neurological outcomes from birth to 3 years of age could be checked from their medical records were analyzed. The relationship between abnormal CI and neurological outcomes was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate models of multivariate logistic regression were employed to estimate the raw and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals comparing marginal (MCI) and velamentous cord insertion (VCI) to normal CI.

RESULTS

Among 365 neonates, 63 cases of MCI and 14 cases of VCI were observed. After excluding 24 cases with neonatal or infant death from the total FGR population, the assessment of the outcomes of the infants aged 3 years or younger showed the following rates of neurological complications: 7.3% (n=25) for cerebral palsy, 8.8% (n=30) for developmental disorders, 16.7% (n=57) for small-for-gestational-age short stature (SGA), 0.6% (n=2) for impaired hearing, 0.9% (n=3) for epilepsy, 1.2% (n=4). The ORs (95% confidence intervals) based on multivariate analysis were as follows: cerebral palsy=10.1 (2.4-41.5) in the VCI group and 4.3 (1.6-11.9) in the MCI group, developmental disorders=6.7 (1.7-26) in the VCI group and 3.9 (1.1-14.2) in the single umbilical artery (SUA) group, 5.1 (1.4-18.7) for birth weight <1000 g and 2.8 (1.2-6.7) for placental weight <200 g.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results indicate that growth-restricted fetuses diagnosed with a birth weight below the 3rd percentile exhibiting abnormal umbilical CI are at a high risk for poor neurological outcomes, including cerebral palsy and/or developmental disorders.

Fetal vascular malperfusion, an update

Fetal vascular malperfusion is the most recent term applied to a group of placental lesions indicating reduced or absent perfusion of the villous parenchyma by the fetus. The most common etiology of malperfusion is umbilical cord obstruction leading to stasis, ischemia, and in some cases thrombosis. Other contributing factors may include maternal diabetes, fetal cardiac insufficiency or hyperviscosity, and inherited or acquired thrombophilias. Severe or high grade fetal vascular malperfusion is an important risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes including fetal growth restriction, fetal CNS injury, and stillbirth. Overall recurrence risk for subsequent pregnancies is low.

Cerebellar hemorrhage in utero associated with ‘massive’ fetal thrombotic vasculopathy

Background: Cerebellar hemorrhage is a rare but serious perinatal condition with various etiologies leading to fetal and neonatal death and adverse neurological complications. Complete autopsy and placental examination are essential for identification of a cause of the bleeding. Objective: Present a case of cerebellar hemorrhage in utero associated with ‘massive’ fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV). Method: Autopsy of a stillborn female fetus, 26 weeks gestation, with intrauterine growth restriction, delivered by a 37-year-old woman. Results: The fetus showed multiple recent peticheal hemorrhages along the cerebellar cortex. The placenta revealed a large thrombosed chorionic blood vessel. Microscopic findings showed multiple vascular thrombosis and massive FTV throughout the placental villi. These were recognized as two histologic patterns, ‘early’ stromal karryorhxis, and ‘late’ villous stromal involution. Conclusion: Massive FTV was a leading cause of fetal stress due to increased resistant of downstream placental villi. This longstanding stressful environment induced auto-regulation impairment of fetal cerebral blood flow resulting in cerebellar parenchymal bleeding. Careful placental examination is beneficial for understating the mode and mechanism of fetal death.

Fetal Vascular Malperfusion

CONTEXT

- Fetal vascular malperfusion, also known as fetal thrombotic vasculopathy, remains an underrecognized pathologic finding and should be noted during placental evaluation.

OBJECTIVE

- To review histologic findings, gain familiarity with the updated terminology, and to recognize important clinical associations with this entity.

DATA SOURCES

- University of Michigan cases, PubMed search, multiple review articles including recent placental workshop group consensus statement, and selected book chapters.

CONCLUSIONS

- Multiple histologic patterns of fetal vascular malperfusion have been described including thrombosis, avascular villi, villous stromal-vascular karyorrhexis, intramural fibrin thrombi, and stem villous vascular obliteration. Various underlying etiologies can be involved in fetal vascular malperfusion. Cord lesions including abnormal insertion, length, and coiling are important causes. Maternal vascular malperfusion such as preeclampsia, hypercoagulable states, lupus anticoagulant, and sometimes diabetes have been associated with this condition. Fetal cardiac dysfunction/malformations and severe fetal inflammatory response in the setting of ascending intrauterine infection have also been attributed to this important finding. Fetal vascular malperfusion has been implicated in several significant and sometimes devastating clinical associations; these include intrauterine growth restriction, poor perinatal outcome, fetal demise, and neurodevelopmental sequelae. A diagnostic challenge may be encountered in cases with prior intrauterine fetal death, since degenerative changes post demise result in a similar histomorphologic picture. The diffuse versus the focal nature of the lesions may help in the distinction.

The clinical implications of placental diagnoses

The clinical utility of placental pathology is both overestimated and underestimated, and the overall quality of placental pathology reporting, even at major medical centers, is highly variable. Clear benefits of examining placentas include the immediate diagnosis of treatable conditions in both the mother and the infant, clarification of the underlying etiology of adverse pregnancy outcomes, estimation of recurrence risk, and guidance for the management of future pregnancies. In order to realize these benefits and get the most out of their pathology departments, it is critical for clinicians to understand the range and implications of placental lesions. This article will review the nomenclature, diagnostic criteria and pitfalls, and clinical significance of seven common placental disease processes and a handful of other lesions.

Antenatal and early postnatal antecedents of parent-reported attention problems at 2 years of age

OBJECTIVES

To assess antenatal and early postnatal antecedents of attention problems identified by the Child Behavior Checklist in extremely preterm children.

STUDY DESIGN

In a cohort of 826 children born between 23 and 27 weeks' gestation, we collected demographic, birth, and postnatal information. We then identified behavior problems by using parent ratings from the Child Behavior Checklist at 2 years' adjusted age. We created time-oriented logistic regression risk models to identify significant risk factors for attention problems and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-compatible attention deficit/hyperactivity problems (ADHP(DSM)).

RESULTS

Children were at increased risk of both attention problems if they were born to a woman who had no formal education beyond high school and/or a woman who was exposed to secondhand smoke. Recovery of a single organism from the placenta was associated with increased risk of an attention problem, and fetal stem vessel thrombosis and recovery of Mycoplasma species were associated with increased risk of ADHP(DSM). Infants of multifetal gestations were at reduced risk of both attention problems. The only postnatal risk factor for an attention problem was recovery of bacteria from a tracheal aspirate.

CONCLUSION

Among extremely preterm infants, several potentially modifiable antenatal and perinatal antecedents are associated with increased risk for attention problems and ADHP(DSM) at 2 years adjusted age.

Examination of the placenta: medico-legal implications

Formal examination of the placenta may provide valuable information to the clinicians, family, and court of law in cases of adverse pregnancy outcome when litigation is initiated. Placental examination contributes towards the identification of specific intrinsic or secondary placental lesions, and understanding the nature of the intrauterine environment. This article provides an update of important placental pathologies that may contribute towards neurologic injury of the newborn child, and describes the role of placental findings in the adjudication of cases of adverse neonatal outcome.

Fetal thrombotic vasculopathy is associated with thromboembolic events and adverse perinatal outcome but not with neurologic complications: a retrospective cohort study of 54 cases with a 3-year follow-up of children

OBJECTIVE

to test the hypothesis that placental fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) is associated with obstetric complications and predisposes the child to unfavorable outcomes.

METHODS

54 placentas with FTV lesions and 100 placentas without FTV lesions were collected over a 5-year period at the Croix-Rousse Pathology Department. Clinical findings including maternal, fetal, neonatal condition and pediatric outcome up to three years were collected for each case and control observation. The statistical analyses were assessed with Wald's chi-square derived from conditional logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS

FTV was associated with a significantly higher frequency of obstetric complications: (pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR 3.620, CI 1.563-8.385), preeclampsia (OR 3.674, CI 1.500-8.998), emergency delivery procedures (OR 3.727, CI 1.477-9.403), cesarean sections (OR 2.684, CI 1.016-7.088)), poor fetal condition (intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (OR 5.440, CI 2.007-14.748), nonreassuring fetal heart tracing (OR 6.062, CI 2.280-16.115), difficulties in immediate ex utero adaptation (OR 3.416, CI 1.087-10.732)) and perinatal or early childhood demise (OR 3.043, CI 1.327-6.978). On pathological examination, FTV was associated with marginal cord insertion (OR 3.492, CI 1.350-9.035), cord stricture and hypercoiled cord (OR 3.936, CI 1.209-12.813). Thromboembolic events were significantly more frequent in cases with FTV (OR 2.154, CI 1.032-5.622). Neurological complications within the first 3 years of life were also more frequent in the FTV group compared to the control group, but this association was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

FTV is associated with maternal complications, pathological findings in the placenta, especially gross cord abnormalities, IUGR, and poor perinatal or early childhood outcome. It may also predispose children to somatic thromboembolic events.

Intestinal atresia occurring in association with placental fetal thrombotic vasculopathy: a case report with literature review

Fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) is a thrombo-occlusive disorder of the placenta that has been reported in association with perinatal conditions such as cardiac abnormalities, neurological injury, and perinatal liver disease. These complications are related to fetal circulation vascular compromise. We herein report a previously undocumented association of congenital intestinal atresia and placental FTV. Vascular occlusion of the fetal mesenteric vessels has been hypothesized to result in congenital intestinal atresia. Our report provides support for this vascular hypothesis and illustrates the value of formal pathological examination of the placenta in explaining this occurrence of congenital intestinal atresia.

Intrauterine fetal death of a monochorionic twin with peripheral pulmonary infarcts: potential thromboembolic events following death of co-twin

In utero fetal lung infarction has rarely been reported. We present a case of intrauterine lung infarction in a 28-3/7 weeks' gestation monochorionic twin following intrauterine fetal demise of the co-twin at 20 weeks. This case highlights the potential for thromboembolic events (TBEs) associated with monochorionic gestations to include pulmonary TBE and infarction among the risks for fetal morbidity and mortality.

Antenatal antecedents of cognitive impairment at 24 months in extremely low gestational age newborns

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Extremely low gestational age neonates are more likely than term infants to develop cognitive impairment. Few studies have addressed antenatal risk factors of this condition. We identified antenatal antecedents of cognitive impairment determined by the Mental Development Index (MDI) portion of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID-II), at 24 months corrected age.

METHODS

We studied a multicenter cohort of 921 infants born before 28 weeks of gestation during 2002 to 2004 and assessed their placentas for histologic characteristics and microorganisms. The mother was interviewed and her medical record was reviewed. At 24 months adjusted age, children were assessed with BSID-II. Multinomial logistic models were used to estimate odds ratios.

RESULTS

A total of 103 infants (11%) had an MDI <55, and 99 infants (11%) had an MDI between 55 and 69. No associations were identified between organisms recovered from the placenta and developmental delay. Factors most strongly associated with MDI <55 were thrombosis of fetal vessels (OR 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2, 7.7), maternal BMI >30 (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1, 3.5), maternal education ≤12 years (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.9, 6.2), nonwhite race (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.3, 3.8), birth weight z score < -2 (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.1, 6.9), and male gender (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.6, 4.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Antenatal factors, including thrombosis of fetal vessels in the placenta, severe fetal growth restriction, and maternal obesity, convey information about the risk of cognitive impairment among extremely premature newborns.

Placental pathology in asphyxiated newborns meeting the criteria for therapeutic hypothermia

OBJECTIVE

We sought to describe placental findings in asphyxiated term newborns meeting therapeutic hypothermia criteria and to assess whether histopathologic correlation exists between these placental lesions and the severity of later brain injury.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a prospective cohort study of the placentas of asphyxiated newborns, in whom later brain injury was defined by magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

A total of 23 newborns were enrolled. Eighty-seven percent of their placentas had an abnormality on the fetal side of the placenta, including umbilical cord lesions (39%), chorioamnionitis (35%) with fetal vasculitis (22%), chorionic plate meconium (30%), and fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (26%). A total of 48% displayed placental growth restriction. Chorioamnionitis with fetal vasculitis and chorionic plate meconium were significantly associated with brain injury (P = .03). Placental growth restriction appears to significantly offer protection against the development of these injuries (P = .03).

CONCLUSION

Therapeutic hypothermia may not be effective in asphyxiated newborns whose placentas show evidence of chorioamnionitis with fetal vasculitis and chorionic plate meconium.

Incidence and clinicopathologic correlation of fetal vessel thrombosis in mono- and dichorionic twin placentas

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of fetal vessel thrombosis in monochorionic-diamniotic and dichorionic-diamniotic twin placentas, and its association with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), fetal vascular anastomoses, chorangiosis, and chorioamnionitis.

STUDY DESIGN

Histologic slides from 80 pairs of monochorionic and 80 pairs of dichorionic twin placentas were reviewed for evidence of fetal vessel thrombosis (≥5 adjacent avascular terminal villi with upstream intravascular fibrin thrombi). Associations with clinical and other pathologic variables were analyzed by χ(2) tests.

RESULT

Thrombosis occurred in 7.5% of monochorionic and 3.1% of dichorionic twin placentas (P=0.090). It was associated with IUGR among the monochorionic twins (P=<0.0001) and with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among the dichorionic twins (P=0.018). Vascular anastomoses, TTTS, chorangiosis, and chorioamnionitis were not associated with fetal vessel thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

Fetal vessel thrombosis was identified more frequently in monochorionic twins, but this difference was not statistically significant. It is associated with IUGR in monochorionic twins, but not with TTTS or fetal vascular anastomoses at the chorionic surface.

Massive fetal thrombotic vasculopathy associated with excessively long umbilical cord and fetal demise: case report and literature review

Both excessively long umbilical cord (ELUC) and fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) have been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, in particular, fetal loss and long-term neurological complications. The etiologies of these conditions are unclear and are likely multifactorial. Excessively long umbilical cord has been associated with FTV and fetal demise, with cases generally showing other cord abnormalities and only localized FTV. We report a 37-week male stillborn fetus whose placenta had a 113-cm-long umbilical cord with no other cord abnormalities associated with "massive" FTV (ie, >25% of the placental mass). This case illustrates the unusual occurrence of FTV of such severe extent in association with ELUC leading to fetal demise. This case illustrates that ELUC alone may be enough to predispose the placenta to massive FTV.

Fetal placental thrombosis and neonatal implications

We present the neonatal complications of two premature newborn infants whose placentas demonstrated placental thrombosis in the fetal circulation. Both mothers presented with a 3-day history of decreased fetal movements before delivery. The first infant presented with thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The second infant had extended bilateral extended hemorrhagic venous infarctions. Severe fetal placental vascular lesions seem to be a predisposing factor for some adverse neonatal outcomes. We present these two cases with a brief review of the literature.

Terminal ileal atresia, total colonic aganglionosis, and thrombophilia

Inherited thrombophilia, a predisposition for a hypercoagulable state, has been associated with cases of intestinal atresia. In this communication, we report a case of terminal ileal atresia and total colonic aganglionosis (Hirschsprung's disease), a rarely documented association, in a neonate who seemed to have a hypercoagulable state. The case stresses the need for recognition of this sequence of events in order to achieve optimal management.

Disorders of placental circulation and the fetal brain

Disorders of the placental circulation, including the release of deleterious mediators to the fetus, are important risk factors for central nervous system complications. These disorders result in discrete patterns of placental injury detectable by a thorough placental pathologic examination. Consideration of the location, severity, multiplicity, and timing of these lesions is critical to a full understanding of their significance. Less than 10% of placentas from term infants that later develop cerebral palsy lack any evidence of placental abnormalities potentially related to adverse outcome.

Fetal thrombotic vasculopathy in twin placentas with complete hydatidiform mole

Complete hydatidiform mole with a coexistent normal twin is rare, but the mortality rate for the coexistent twin is high, usually attributed to preeclampsia or vaginal bleeding. Placental examination of 3 twin pregnancies complicated by complete hydatidiform mole revealed significant abnormalities in the fetal vasculature. In 1 case, an intrauterine demise at 27 weeks, the placenta showed chorionic plate vessels with mural fibrin thrombi. The placenta from a second case, delivered at 30 weeks for preterm labor, showed similar thrombi in chorionic plate vessels, accompanied by calcification. A third case delivered at 35 weeks produced a liveborn infant, and the placenta showed villous stromal-vascular karyorrhexis, avascular villi, and stem villous thrombosis. Fetal placental thrombotic lesions seen in the coexistent twin circulation, associated with a complete hydatidiform mole, may play a heretofore unrecognized role in the morbidity and mortality of the fetus.

Familial perinatal liver disease and fetal thrombotic vasculopathy

The association between placental fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) and perinatal liver disease was not recognized until 2002, when Dahms and colleagues reported a series of 3 patients in whom severe liver disease developed in the first 2 days of life. All had abnormal liver histology and showed a variety of abnormalities, including Budd-Chiari syndrome, changes mimicking extrahepatic obstruction, lobular fibrosis, cholestasis, and hepatocyte giant cell transformation. We report recurrent significant perinatal liver disease in a family, associated with proven FTV in at least 1 pregnancy. A 30-year-old gravida 4 female with a history of heterozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate A1298C mutation had a normal 1st pregnancy and then experienced an intrauterine fetal demise at 38 weeks of gestation. Placental examination revealed extensive occlusive and mural thrombi of chorionic vessels associated with a large focus of avascular villi. Histologic examination of the liver showed extensive giant cell transformation and hepatocyte dropout. No excess hemosiderin pigment was present in the liver, pancreas, or heart. A 3rd pregnancy produced a live-born term infant with transient neonatal cholestasis. The 4th pregnancy also produced a term neonate who presented with acute hepatic failure of unknown cause, ultimately requiring liver transplantation. Fetal thrombotic vasculopathy is an underrecognized association with perinatal liver disease that may be associated with abnormal liver perfusion and that may recur in families, especially when a genetic thrombophilia is present.

Placental histopathologic features in patients with thrombophilic mutations

The purpose of this article is to review the histopathologic findings in the placenta of women with a known thrombophilic mutation. The findings range from normal to severe pathologic features including decidual vasculopathy, placental infarctions, syncytial knotting, maternal floor infarction, fetal thrombotic vasculopathy, vasculitis, and chronic villitis. They are, however, not pathognomonic of thrombophilic states, nor are necessarily markers of perinatal damage. The prospective evaluation of cases with known thrombophilic mutations and the application of tissue microarray examination of the placenta may allow identification of major histopathologic features and molecular parameters associated with maternal and/or fetal thrombophilic states. This may assist clinicians in their consultation with patients and optimize management in future pregnancies.

Cryptogenic fulminant hepatic failure in infancy: report of 2 cases with unique vascular obstructive changes in native livers

Although the causes of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) remain cryptogenic in many cases, a few reports have reviewed the pathological findings of native livers to evaluate the etiology. We report 2 cases of infantile cryptogenic FHF with unique vascular obstructive changes in the native livers. Clinically, it was notable that these 2 patients developed FHF very early in life, at 2 months and 5 months of age, respectively. One patient died from chronic rejection associated with hepatic veno-occlusive disease 4 months after transplantation. Histologically, hepatocytes in the native livers were completely destroyed in both patients, and vascular findings revealed obstruction of central veins in 1 patient and obstruction of portal veins in the other patient. Although the pathogenesis of vascular obstructions is not yet understood, this study suggests that an obstructive vascular event may be a contributing etiologic factor of FHF in infancy.

Neonatal hemochromatosis: fetal liver disease leading to liver failure in the fetus and newborn

Acute liver failure in the newborn is relatively rare but often fatal. The broadest definition of acute liver failure is failure of the vital functions of the liver occurring within weeks or a few months of the onset of clinical liver disease. Therefore, by definition, any liver failure in the newborn can be construed to be acute liver failure. A second component of the general definition of acute liver failure is the lack of known preexisting liver disease. In the case of neonatal acute liver failure, preexisting disease would by definition be liver disease that affects the fetus. Almost nothing is known about fetal onset liver failure, and there is no literature addressing the subject. This review will address fetal liver disease that leads to liver failure in the fetus or newborn.

Severe fetal placental vascular lesions in term infants with neurologic impairment

OBJECTIVE

This study tests the hypothesis that placental disease can identify antepartum processes that either progress into the intrapartum period or predispose to intrapartum brain injury.

STUDY DESIGN

Lesions that affect large fetal vessels were compared in the placentas of 125 neurologically impaired term infants who were the focus of clinical negligence litigation and 250 consecutive singleton deliveries of >/=36 weeks of gestation.

RESULTS

One or more of 4 severe placental fetal vascular lesions (fetal thrombotic vasculopathy, chronic villitis with obliterative fetal vasculopathy, chorioamnionitis with severe fetal vasculitis, and meconium-associated fetal vascular necrosis) were found in 51% of index cases versus 10% of the comparison group ( P <.0001). Prevalence of these lesions in the 64 infants with cerebral palsy was 52% ( P <.0001).

CONCLUSION

Severe fetal placental vascular lesions are correlated highly with neurologic impairment and cerebral palsy. Their nature, duration, and anatomic location make them strong candidates for the antepartum processes that place fetuses at risk for brain injury during the intrapartum period.

Clinical and pathological umbilical cord abnormalities in fetal thrombotic vasculopathy

Although inherited fetal coagulation disorders may lead to fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) in occasional cases, several studies have failed to show a significant association between these 2 entities. This study tests the hypothesis that vascular stasis related to chronic umbilical cord obstruction might be a contributing factor. The study population consisted of 125 neurologically impaired term infants who were the focus of clinical negligence litigation. FTV, as defined by an average of >15 villi per slide exhibiting either a complete lack of blood vessels or villous stromal karyorrhexis, was found in the placentas of 23 cases. Clinical umbilical cord entanglement (ie, true knots or cord loops around the neck or body parts at delivery) was significantly more common in cases with FTV (61% vs 24% in cases without FTV; P = 0.0009). Potentially obstructive pathological abnormalities of the umbilical cord (marginal/ membranous insertion, decreased Wharton's jelly, maximum cord diameter <8 mm, or hypercoiling) were also more frequent in this group (30% vs 9% without FTV; P = 0.0055). Overall, 16 of 23 placentas with FTV had either clinical or pathological cord abnormalities. This study, with careful documentation of cord status at delivery and on the delivered placenta, is the first to report that clinical cord entanglement and pathological cord abnormalities are significantly increased in placentas with FTV.

Fetal vascular obstructive lesions: nosology and reproducibility of placental reaction patterns

The purpose of this study was to assemble and test the reliability of a complete set of the placental reaction patterns seen with chronic fetal vascular obstruction in the hope that this might provide a standardized diagnostic framework useful for practicing pathologists. Study cases (14 with fetal vascular obstructive lesions, 6 controls) were reviewed blindly by seven pathologists after agreement on a standard set of diagnostic criteria. Majority vote served as the gold standard and 80% of the 180 diagnoses rendered (9 diagnoses each for 20 cases) were agreed upon by at least six of the seven scores. The sensitivity of individual diagnosis relative to the group consensus averaged 83% (range, 69-100%) and specificity averaged 91% (range, 86-100%). Reproducibility was measured by unweighted kappa-values and interpreted as follows: < 0.2, poor; 0.2-0.6, fair/moderate; > 0.6, substantial. Kappa values for lesions of distal villi were generally superior to those for lesions involving large fetal vessels: avascular villi (0.49), villous stromal-vascular karyorrhexis (0.58), and villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) with stem villitis and avascular villi (0.65) versus large vessel thrombi (any vessel, 0.34; chorionic plate vessel, 0.40) and intimal fibrin cushions (recent, 0.47; remote, 0.78). Reproducibility for a global impression of any villous change consistent with chronic fetal vascular obstruction was substantial (0.63), while that for a more severe subgroup was moderate (0.44). Three points are worthy of emphasis. Our system separately recognizes, but later combines, uniformly avascular villi and villous stromal-vascular karyorrhexis as manifestations of the same underlying process. We propose that this combined group of villous lesions be dichotomized with the terms fetal thrombotic vasculopathy or extensive avascular villi (and/or villous stromal-vascular karyorrhexis) being reserved for the group with 15 or more affected terminal villi per section. Scattered foci of avascular villi (and/or villous stromal-vascular karyorrhexis) could be used to describe less severe cases. Finally, we distinguish VUE with stem villitis and avascular villi (obliterative fetal vasculopathy) as a distinct process with substantial perinatal morbidity.