Placenta - Placental edema (placental hydrops)

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Placenta

Placental gross/microscopic abnormalities, non-neoplastic

Placental edema (placental hydrops)

Reviewers: Mandolin Ziadie, M.D. (see Reviewers page)
Revised: 16 November 2011, last major update October 2011
Copyright: (c) 2003-2011, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

Definition
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● Accumulation of fluid in the placenta and umbilical cord

Etiology
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● Results from a variety of fetal or maternal factors including erythroblastosis fetalis, hemolytic disease of the newborn, infection, cardiac anomalies, fetal anemia, hemorrhage, congenital anomalies, chromosomal disorders or tumors

Gross description
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● Placenta is enlarged and pale when edema is marked
● Placental weight may be greater than expected for gestational age

Micro description
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● Enlarged villi with edematous stroma and increased numbers of Hofbauer cells (macrophages)
● Underlying cause of edema may be diagnosed based on other histologic findings

End of Placenta > Placental gross/microscopic abnormalities, non-neoplastic > Placental edema (placental hydrops)

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