Shortened fetal long bones: a possible in utero manifestation of placental function.
Shortened fetal long bones (SFLB) are usually indicative of a skeletal dysplasia. Our aim in this observational retrospective study was to describe a new association between SFLB, small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses and placental abnormalities, and to suggest an aetiologic explanation. During the last decade we have evaluated nine cases in which SFLB (more than 2SD below the mean) was associated with SGA, abnormal maternal serum placental hormones and abnormal placental sonography. Six cases had significantly increased second trimester maternal serum beta hCG and four developed toxaemia of pregnancy or had chronic hypertension. On histology, mature placentas with vascular abnormalities, including chorangiosis, large infarcts and slightly increased syncytial knots were noted. The combination of SFLB, SGA fetuses and placental abnormalities (sonographic, as well as histological) suggested a possible common pathway in the aetiology of this association.
Zalel
Yaron
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. zalel_y@netvision.net.il
Lehavi
Ofer
O
Schiff
Eyal
E
Shalmon
Bruria
B
Cohen
Shlomi
S
Schulman
Adrian
A
Achiron
Reuven
R
D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000473:pathology; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human