Fetoplacental malformations and abnormalities. A retrospective analysis of 398 cases.

BACKGROUND: The fetoplacental examination is actually very important and sometimes necessary to confirm or correct prenatal diagnosis.

AIM: to deduce a list of indications of fetoplacental examination and to determine the type and frequency of malformations found.

METHODS: a retrospective study including 398 consecutive fetoplacental examinations, including abortions, stillbirths and children died perinatally. The cases were referred in the department of pathology of the M. Slim Hospital (North Tunis) from 1992 and 2012.

RESULTS: The mean maternal age was 32,58 years. The average gravidity was 2,65 and the average rate was 1,48. Maternal conditions were dominated by preeclampsia. The main indication motivating the request for fetoplacental examination was a spontaneous abortion in 45,73% of cases. The rate of stillbirths was 15,61% and that of children who died in the perinatal period was 13,28%. The sex ratio was 1,4 and the medium term was 19,38 SA. 170 fetuses had abnormalities (43,14%). The most frequent abnormalities were chromosomal aberrations (27,64%), followed by facial abnormalities (25,88%) and central nervous system abnormalities (18,82%). We examined 283 placentas, 49% of them contained abnormalities. Ischemic lesions were the main placental abnormalities (41%).

CONCLUSIONS:   An efficient fetopathological examination should be as complete as possible, including examination of placenta. Everything must be integrated into a data collection and complete clinical information.