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Jo, Jang, and Lee: Analysis of placental pathological findings contributing to intrauterine fetal death
Original Article
Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Korean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2010; 53(7): 602-607.

Published online: 31 July 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5468/kjog.2010.53.7.602

Analysis of placental pathological findings contributing to intrauterine fetal death

Yun Sung Jo, M.D., Dong Gyu Jang, M.D., Gui Se Ra Lee, M.D.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding author (leegsr@catholic.ac.kr)

Received 30 April 2010       Accepted 1 June 2010

Copyright © 2010 Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate placental causes of fetal death intrauterine (IUFD) bases on placental pathologic findings.

Methods

Retrospective review of 123 placental pathological reports of singleton fetal deaths from 20 weeks of gestation to 41 weeks of gestation.

Results

The incidences of maternal causes, fetal causes, inflammatory causes, miscellaneous and unremarkable findings were 45.5%, 28.4%, 16.2%, 23.5%, respectively. The incidence of fetal anomaly was 8.9%. Fetal anomalies were deeply related to fetal cause (P=0.000). Intrauterine growth restriction was significantly associated with maternal causes (P=0.038).

Conclusion

No pathological guideline regarding placental examination of intrauterine fetal death exists. In future studies, a better definition of fetal death causes and associated placental pathological findings might aid clinicians in counseling, assessing the risk of recurrence and even preventing fetal death in subsequent pregnancies.

Keywords: Fetal death, Placenta, Pathology

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Classification of the placental findings contributing to fetal death
kjog-53-602-i001
Table 2
Maternal and fetal general characteristics
kjog-53-602-i002

SD: standard deviation, IUGR: intrauterine growth restriction.

Table 3
Placental pathologic findings of 123 intrauterine fetal death
kjog-53-602-i003
Table 4
Placental pathologic findings of IUFD according to maternal age, parity and medical illness (preeclampsia and diabetes)
kjog-53-602-i004

IUFD: intrauterine fetal death, DM: diabetes mellitus.

Table 5
Placental pathologic findings of IUFD according to gestational age, fetal gender and fetal anomaly
kjog-53-602-i005

IUFD: intrauterine fetal death.

Table 6
Placental pathologic findings according to fetal weight, IUGR and macrosomia
kjog-53-602-i006

IUGR: intrauterine growth restriction.

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