Association between Pulmonary Hypoplasia and Hypoplasia of Arcuate Nucleus in Stillbirth

Matturri, Luigi; Lavezzi, Anna Maria; Minoli, I; Ottaviani, Giulia; Rubino, Barbara; Cappellini, Anna; Rossi, Lino

doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7210900

Cited by 50 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(40 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Consequently, the observed morpho-functional alterations of the central autonomic nervous system, and particularly the great frequency of hypoplasia of the pF/Fc in sudden unexplained stillbirth, could determine defects of this occasional respiratory activity in prenatal life. This is supported by the frequent finding of lung hypoplasia in fetuses [26].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Hypoplasia of the Parafacial/Facial Complex: A Very Frequent Finding in Sudden Unexplained Fetal Death

Lavezzi¹,

Matturri²

2008

TONEURJ

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

AIMS -To define firstly in man the localization and the anatomical boundaries of the parafacial respiratory group in the brainstem. Thereafter, to determine whether this center, given its essential role in the respiratory rhythmgenerating circuit, showed abnormalities in sudden unexplained perinatal and infant deaths, like other nuclei and/or structures of the brainstem and cerebellum checking vital functions, that we have previously reported.METHODS -In 67 brains collected from 29 stillbirths, 9 newborns and 29 infants, died of both known and unknown cause, an in-depth histological examination of the autonomic nervous system was made, according to the protocol routinely followed by the Institute of Pathology, University of Milan. In particular we analyzed the parafacial and facial nuclei in serial sections of caudal pons.RESULTS -We firstly identified and defined the normal structure of the parafacial/facial complex in control cases. Besides we diagnosed the hypoplasia of these nuclei in 75% of sudden unexplained fetal deaths and never after birth.CONCLUSIONS -We formulate the hypothesis that the hypoplasia of the parafacial/facial complex is a specific marker of unexplained stillbirth, and that the normal development of this complex is essential for extra-uterine life.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Hypoplasia of the Parafacial/Facial Complex: A Very Frequent Finding in Sudden Unexplained Fetal Death

Lavezzi¹,

Matturri²

2008

TONEURJ

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…8 -12 Recent observations point out that such developmental alterations appear with a similar incidence in SIDS and SIUD victims. 3,11,12 ARCn hypoplasia is a congenital anomaly, not referable to any acquired alterations, and, particularly in SIUD, is associated with hypoplasia of other brainstem structures, particularly of the reticular respiratory formation. 3 FIGURE 2.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3,4 Sudden intrauterine unexplained death (SIUD) is defined as late unexplained fetal death before the complete expulsion of the fetus from the mother. 3,5,6 Advances in maternal and fetal care have produced a significant reduction in perinatal mortality but have not changed the prevalence of SIUD, whose etiology remains largely unexplained.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of the Brainstem, Particularly the Arcuate Nucleus, in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Intrauterine Unexplained Death (SIUD)

Matturri

Ottaviani

Alfonsi

et al. 2004

American Journal of Forensic Medicine &Amp; Pathology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:Complete examination of the brainstem involves transverse serial 5-m sections made throughout the entire brainstem. The number of serial sections varies from 360 in sudden intrauterine unexplained death (SIUD) to 600 in term fetuses to over 1400 sections in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) victims. The procedure is not applicable in all histopathological laboratories, owing to the need for additional technical personnel. The simplified procedure allows a remarkable reduction of the number of sections. The brainstem is divided into 3 blocks. The first, cranial block, extends from the border between the medulla oblongata and pons up to the upper pole of the olivary nucleus. The second, intermediate block, corresponding to the submedian area of the inferior olivary nucleus, has as reference point the obex and extends 2 to 3 mm above and below the obex itself. The third, caudal block, includes the lower pole of the inferior olivary nucleus and the lower adjacent area of the medulla oblongata. Examinations of the brainstems from 106 SIDS victims, 30 controls, and 51 stillborns underlined a remarkable variability, particularly of the arcuate nucleus. The simplified examination of the brainstem makes it possible to evaluate the structures, examining 3 specific levels, defined by morphologic reference points.

show abstract

“…Hypoplasia of the arcuate nucleus is often present both in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and perinatal death (stillbirth after the 25th week of gestation and neonatal death) [1][2][3]. The lack of inflammatory infiltrates, hemorrhages, gliosis, and other reactive changes have made it possible to establish the congenital, primitive, and probably genetically based nature of this developmental defect, allowing a correlation to be made between SIDS and neonatal and late sudden fetal death.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypoplasia of the Parabrachial/Kölliker-Fuse Complex in Perinatal Death

et al. 2004

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We report the first observation of perinatal death attributable to morphological alterations of the parabrachial/Kölliker-Fuse complex. In an infant, born at 41 weeks of gestation with severe signs of asphyxia and dead 20 h after delivery, we observed the presence of rare and immature neurons in the brain stem areas of both lateral and medial parabrachial nuclei and the absence of the characteristic neurons of the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus. Such hypoplasia was associated with severe hypoplasia of the arcuate nucleus and pulmonary hypoplasia.

show abstract

Association between Pulmonary Hypoplasia and Hypoplasia of Arcuate Nucleus in Stillbirth

Cited by 50 publications

References 27 publications

Hypoplasia of the Parafacial/Facial Complex: A Very Frequent Finding in Sudden Unexplained Fetal Death

Hypoplasia of the Parafacial/Facial Complex: A Very Frequent Finding in Sudden Unexplained Fetal Death

Study of the Brainstem, Particularly the Arcuate Nucleus, in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Intrauterine Unexplained Death (SIUD)

Hypoplasia of the Parabrachial/Kölliker-Fuse Complex in Perinatal Death

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About