Foetal hepatic calcification

Abstract

Thirty-three cases of 1,500 spontaneously-aborted foetuses showed hepatic calcifications. The exact location of these calcifications were confirmed by contrast studies, anatomic dissection, and further histology when necessary. Of them, 18 were calcified hepatic vein thrombi (CHVT), 12 were calcified portal vein thrombi (CPVT), 2 were parenchymal calcifications, and one was mixed. Associated anomalies were high (85% of cases). No significant difference was found between the type and percentage of anomalies of those with CHVT and those with CPVT. The most common anomalies encountered in all cases were meconium intraluminal calcification (27%), cystic hygroma (18%), and metaphyseal defect (18%). In view of this, it is suggested that a variety of severe foetal illnesses predispose to CHVT and CPVT. At correlation with maternal factors, it was found that the highest incidence was in the third decade. A significant high percentage of mothers (33%) had been on contraceptive pills, and there was interesting inverse relationship of hepatic calcification with gravidity. Practically, it is also hoped that the awareness of the presence of various types of hepatic calcifications will help in their detection prenatally by ultrasound.

Fetal liver calcifications: an autopsy study

“…The incidence of fetal liver calcifications detected by ultrasound was 0.6% (14 of 24,600 fetuses scanned between 15 and 26 weeks of gestation) [1]. The incidence of fetal liver calcifications detected by X-ray in spontaneous abortions was 2.2% (33 fetuses out of 1,500) [2]. The higher incidence of calcifications per histology in autopsy cases (4.2%) seems to be attributed to the fact that histologic calcifications represent a different phenomenon.…”

“…While many morphological features are obscured by autolysis in histological sections of the liver, fetal liver calcifications can be visualized regardless of the degree of autolysis. Although fetal liver calcifications seen by imaging techniques are reported, the incidence of histologic fetal liver calcifications, associated pathological features, and the clinical settings are not well documented [1,2].…”

Isolated fetal liver calcifications

“…Most available information has been derived from spontaneously aborted fetuses (4). Recent advances in ultrasonography resolution and sonographic monitoring of intrauterine pregnancies has resulted in an increased prenatal detection of these lesions.…”

Izolated fetal liver calcifications: prenatal management

“…The incidence of isolated fetal liver calcifications is undetermined while the incidence of whole fetal liver calcifications was estimated as 5.7-10/10000 (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) . It may be due to the fact that our hospital is a referral center so we were found the incidence higher than other publications.…”

“…Fetal liver calcifications were previously detected from spontaneous abortions and newborn autopsies (4) .…”