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Severe intra- and periventricular hemorrhage: role of arteriolosclerosis related to maternal smoke

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Abstract

Objective

The authors aimed to describe the atherosclerotic lesions of the cerebral arterioles as a substrate of their rupture and bleeding.

Methods

The study was performed on the brain of nine Caucasian fetal victims of intra- and periventricular hemorrhage, all grade IV, and nine control cases.

Results

In the nine victims of hemorrhage, the arteriolar wall structure was altered, focally transformed into a deposit of amorphous eosinophilic material. Such changes often affected the full thickness of the wall causing rupture and hemorrhage. In eight of these cases and in two victims of the control group, the mothers were heavy cigarette smokers (15–20 cigarettes/day) before and during pregnancy.

Conclusion

The authors conclude that intra- and periventricular hemorrhage can be ascribed to the toxic effects of prenatal absorption of nicotine.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Graziella Alfonsi for her precious technical assistance.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. “Lino Rossi” Research Center for the Study and Prevention of Unexpected Perinatal Death and SIDS-Department of Surgical, Reconstructive and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Milan, Via della Commenda, 19, 20122, Milan, Italy

    Luigi Matturri, Donatella Mecchia & Anna M. Lavezzi

Authors
  1. Luigi Matturri
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  2. Donatella Mecchia
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  3. Anna M. Lavezzi
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Correspondence to Luigi Matturri.

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Matturri, L., Mecchia, D. & Lavezzi, A.M. Severe intra- and periventricular hemorrhage: role of arteriolosclerosis related to maternal smoke. Childs Nerv Syst 27, 1979–1983 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-011-1511-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-011-1511-0

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