Placenta - Thrombosis of fetal arteries

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Placenta

Placental findings in specific newborn/fetal or maternal conditions

Thrombosis of fetal arteries

Reviewers: Mandolin Ziadie, M.D. (see Reviewers page)
Revised: 17 November 2011, last major update November 2011
Copyright: (c) 2003-2011, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

Definition
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● Thrombosis of fetal vessels results in fibrosis of downstream villi
● Thrombi may also embolize to fetal organs, resulting in perinatal asphyxia and an increased risk of neurologic injury
● More common in diabetic pregnancies, often associated with increased syncytial knots, fibrotic villi, Langhans cells and villous fibrinoid necrosis

Gross description
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● Triangular or hemispheric pale areas, seen better after formalin fixation or otherwise similar to remaining placenta

Micro description
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● Occlusive thrombi in large stem vessels accompanied by downstream changes, including loss of vascularity and fibrosis

Micro images
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Avascular villi (figure 1A)

Differential diagnosis
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● Placental infarction
● Villous edema
● Villous immaturity

End of Placenta > Placental findings in specific newborn/fetal or maternal conditions > Thrombosis of fetal arteries

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