Placental Pathology Associated with Chromosomal Anomalies of the Human Neonate. A Survey of Seven cases

Abstract

In order to evaluate feto-placental function in the presence of chromosomal anomalies the authors evaluated the placenta in three cases of Down's syndrome and four cases of the 18-trisomy syndrome. In the three cases of Down's syndrome investigated, the placenta was normal in one case and showed infarcts in the remaining two; one of the latter also demonstrated intervillous thrombosis in conjunction with congenital heart failure of the infant. In general, the placentas observed in the four cases of 18-trisomy syndrome were small with two showing infarcts and another intervillous thrombosis. In summary, placental infarcts were observed in 4 of 7 cases of genetic abnormality reported and intervillous thrombi occurred in 2 of 7 cases. Placental infarcts associated with normal neonates occurred 33% of the time and intervillous thrombi only 10% of the time. These findings indicate that circulatory disturbance of the intervillous space was more prominent feature in placentas associated with neonates possessing chromosomal anomalies.