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

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.

Keywords

Villous mineralization aneuploidy stillbirth placenta

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