Intrauterine Anoxic Brain Damage in Nonimmune Hydrops fetalis

Abstract

A case is presented of a live-born infant with nonimmune hydrops fetalis who survived for 9 h. Neuropathological examination revealed extensive neuronal loss and gliosis in the subcortical gray nuclei suggestive of anoxic brain damage some weeks before birth. In addition the cerebellum was found to be hypoplastic and immature. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms in relation to the hydrops are discussed. In view of the scanty documentation of cerebral lesions in the literature, more detailed examinations of the central nervous System in all cases of hydrops are suggested.

Intrauterine Brain Damage in Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis

“…Kobori and Urich [12] also described neuronal anoxic brain damage, in a 2.3-kg infant born at 32-34 weeks gestational age with nonimmune anasarca. Two major histo pathologic findings were noted: widespread neuronal loss in basal ganglia and brainstem with corresponding dense gliosis.…”

“…Nonimmune hydrops fetalis has been de scribed in a great variety of pathological con ditions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] but brain aspect has been poorly explored [10][11][12], Nowadays, the diagnosis of hydrops is usually made on fetal ultrasono grams, and investigations can be undertaken to identify the cause or the associated patho logical conditions. Therefore, today, many pregnancies are interrupted.…”