Placenta
Nonneoplastic placental conditions and abnormalities
Placental findings in specific conditions
Placental edema (placental hydrops)
Author: Mandolin S. Ziadie, M.D.
Last author update: 1 October 2011
Last staff update: 29 October 2020
Copyright: 2002-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Placenta edema hydrops[title] "loattrfull text"[sb]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Etiology | Gross description | Microscopic (histologic) descriptionCite this page: Ziadie MS. Placental edema (placental hydrops). PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/placentaplaedema.html. Accessed April 23rd, 2024.
Definition / general
- Accumulation of fluid in the placenta and umbilical cord
Etiology
- 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
- Placenta is enlarged and pale when edema is marked
- Placental weight may be greater than expected for gestational age
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Enlarged villi with edematous stroma and increased numbers of Hofbauer cells (macrophages)
- Underlying cause of edema may be diagnosed based on other histologic findings
