Abstract
The cause and pathogenesis of gastroschisis are uncertain. We report the autopsy and placental pathology of a stillbirth at 20 gestational weeks, in which gastroschisis was accompanied by destructive lesions in the cerebral cortex and brainstem, as well as cardiac calcification, consistent with ischemic injury during the 2nd trimester. An important potential underlying mechanism explaining the fetal abnormalities is the presence of infarcts in the placenta, indicative at this gestational age of maternal vascular underperfusion. The association of gastroschisis with ischemic lesions in the brain, heart, and placenta in this case supports the concept that gastroschisis, at least in some instances, may result from vascular event(s) causing disruption of the fetal abdominal wall and resulting in the extrusion of the abdominal organs, as well as hypoxic-ischemic brain and cardiac injury.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 391-396 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Pediatric and Developmental Pathology |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Atresia
- Development
- Encephaloclastic maternal vascular underperfusion
- Vascular disruption
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine