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Relationship Between the Extent of Histologic Villous Mineralization and Stillbirth in Aneuploid and Euploid Fetuses

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Abstract

Objective

To describe the relationship between the degree of placental histologic villous mineralization (VM) and stillbirth in anueploid and euploid fetuses.

Methods

The extent of VM for aneuploid and gestational age-matched euploid placentas was graded semiquantitatively on a 0 to 3 scale based on the number of terminal or stem villi containing mineralizations in forty × 10 fields of view. The extent of VM was analyzed in relation to fetal status at delivery (liveborn or stillborn) for both aneuploid and euploid fetuses.

Results

For 14 available aneuploid placentas, grade 0 or 1 VM was recorded for seven aneuploid specimens, of which two were stillborn. Grade 2 or 3 VM was recorded for seven aneuploid specimens, of which six were stillborn. Fourteen gestational age-matched euploid placentas served as controls. Grade 0 or 1 VM was observed in nine euploid specimens, of which four were stillborn. Grade 2 or 3 VM was observed in five euploid specimens, of which four were stillborn. For aneuploid fetuses, stillbirth was significantly more frequent with grade 2 or 3 VM compared with grade 0 or 1 VM (χ2 = 4.667, P < .05). This relationship did not exist for euploid fetuses (χ2 = 1.659, P > .05).

Conclusion

Histologic VM is not a universal finding in, or exclusive to, stillbirths. Aneuploid but not euploid stillbirths show increased histologic VM compared with livebirths. This may implicate impaired placental or circulatory function as a mechanism for death in aneuploid fetuses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Darnell Army Community Hospital, Ft. Hood, Texas, USA

    Brian T. Pierce MD, Laura S. Martin MD, Roderick F. Hume Jr MD, Byron C. Calhoun MD, Jeannie Muir-Padilla MD & Carolyn M. Salafia MD

  2. Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford, Illinois, USA

    Brian T. Pierce MD, Laura S. Martin MD, Roderick F. Hume Jr MD, Byron C. Calhoun MD, Jeannie Muir-Padilla MD & Carolyn M. Salafia MD

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madigan Army Medical Center, 98431, Tacoma, Washington, USA

    Brian T. Pierce MD, Laura S. Martin MD, Roderick F. Hume Jr MD, Byron C. Calhoun MD, Jeannie Muir-Padilla MD & Carolyn M. Salafia MD

  4. Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA

    Brian T. Pierce MD, Laura S. Martin MD, Roderick F. Hume Jr MD, Byron C. Calhoun MD, Jeannie Muir-Padilla MD & Carolyn M. Salafia MD

Authors
  1. Brian T. Pierce MD
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  2. Laura S. Martin MD
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  3. Roderick F. Hume Jr MD
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  4. Byron C. Calhoun MD
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  5. Jeannie Muir-Padilla MD
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  6. Carolyn M. Salafia MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Byron C. Calhoun MD.

Additional information

The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army, or the Department of Defense.

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Pierce, B.T., Martin, L.S., Hume, R.F. et al. Relationship Between the Extent of Histologic Villous Mineralization and Stillbirth in Aneuploid and Euploid Fetuses. Reprod. Sci. 9, 290–293 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1177/107155760200900506

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/107155760200900506

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