Trophoblastic microemboli as a marker for preeclampsia-eclampsia in sudden unexpected maternal death: a case report and review of the literature.
The authors report the case of a 25-year-old white woman at 7 months' gestation who died suddenly and unexpectedly at home. Anatomic findings at autopsy included a tongue contusion, glomerulonephritis, changes indicative of systemic hypertension, and trophoblastic microemboli in the lungs. Review of the prenatal care record disclosed 3+ proteinuria 2 days before death. The features of the postmortem examination were consistent with clinically undiagnosed preeclampsia-eclampsia and glomerulonephritis. The authors discuss the rarity of fatal preeclampsia-eclampsia, the contribution of concomitant glomerulonephritis, and the significance of trophoblastic microemboli in the lungs.
Baker
A M
AM
Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA.
Morey
M K
MK
Berg
K K
KK
Crosson
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004617:Embolism / Q000150:complications*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000150:complications; D014327:Trophoblasts
D015415:Biomarkers