Analyses of the potential oxygen transfer capability in placentae from infants succumbing to sudden infant death syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Morphometric oxygen diffusive conductance (Dp) was estimated to assess the potential efficiency of oxygen transfer across the materno-fetal interface in placentae obtained from victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).


METHODS
SIDS placentae were retrieved from archived storage and classified into normal birth weight (NBW, n=16), or small for gestational age (SGA, n=9) and compared against control placentae (n=40) or SGA (n=24) placentae. A combination of stereological techniques and physiological constants were used to estimate total Dp.


RESULTS
SIDS NBW cases showed a crucial reduction in fetal capillary surface area when compared with control placentae. SIDS SGA showed a number of deficiencies in basic volumetric and surface area parameters. Values for total and specific Dp in placentae in both SIDS groups were maintained at levels comparable with control and SGA cases, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Since more reductions were observed in SIDS SGA group, this suggests that factors responsible for these reductions maybe associated with SGA rather than being SIDS-specific factors.
Ansari
T
T
Department of Surgical Research, Northwick Park Institute of Medical Research, Northwick Park Hospital Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3UJ, UK. t.i.ansari@ic.ac.uk
Gillan
J E
JE
Condell
D
D
Green
C J
CJ
Sibbons
P D
PD
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
D010100:Oxygen