Radiographic and pathologic evaluation of idiopathic infantile arterial calcification.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic infantile arterial calcification is a rare disorder that often results in fetal or neonatal demise. Few reports have detailed an early diagnosis, complete antenatal and postnatal imaging, and postmortem findings.

CASE: A patient presented at 33 weeks of gestation with hydrops fetalis. Idiopathic infantile arterial calcification was diagnosed using a fetal echocardiogram, and fetal demise occurred shortly thereafter. A complete postmortem evaluation included radiography and pathology. The patient's postpartum course was complicated by maternal respiratory distress and pulmonary edema.

CONCLUSION: Finding calcified vessels in the context of fetal hydrops should lead one to consider idiopathic infantile arterial calcification. This diagnosis has important maternal and fetal implications. The detailed evaluation in this case is useful to clinicians in making a definitive diagnosis of idiopathic infantile arterial calcification. Clinicians should be aware that serious maternal complications can occur in these types of cases.