Extramedullary haematopoiesis in liver of sudden infant death cases.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH) in sudden infant death and control cases, and to provide descriptive data on extramedullary haematopoietic islands and diffuse cells.


METHODS
The study was carried out in 51 SIDS and 102 non-SIDS cases. Liver-tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemistry was done with streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complexes by Polyclonal Haemoglobin "A" antibody. The prevalence of data was estimated statistically by Pearson chi-square test, descriptive statistics, and Kruskal-Wallis test.


RESULTS
The Pearson chi-square values (CI: 95%; OR: 0.071-0.49; p: 0.0474) show higher frequency of EMH islands in SIDS than in controls. The number of diffuse extramedullary haematopoetic cells was higher in SIDS cases compared to non-SIDS (p=0.017).


CONCLUSIONS
EMH is a frequent finding in SIDS cases, and this may be a consequence of anaemia associated with intrauterine hypoxia, or infections.
Töro
Klára
K
Department of Forensic Medicine, Semmelweis University, Ulloi út 93, Budapest 1091, Hungary. torok@igaz.sote.hu
Hubay
Martha
M
Keller
Eva
E
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004900:Erythroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006411:Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000473:pathology*