title: Severe cell reduction in the future brain cortex in human growth-restricted fetuses and infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that the total number of cells in the cortical part of the cerebral wall is the same in intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses, compared with normally grown fetuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The total cell number in the cerebral wall was estimated in 9 severely affected IUGR fetuses and 15 controls using the optical fractionator. Cell numbers were estimated within 4 developmental zones. The gestational ages were 19-41 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total cell number in the future cortex was significantly reduced in the IUGR fetuses, compared with controls. The daily increase in brain cells in the future cortex was only half of that of the controls. In the 3 other developmental zones, no significant differences in cell numbers could be demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IUGR in humans is associated with a severe reduction in cortical growth and a significant decrease in cell number in the future cortex.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. gbs@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Grethe B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Samuelsen
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pakkenberg
authors.forename: Nenad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bogdanović
authors.forename: Hans J G
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gundersen
authors.forename: Jørgen Falck
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Graem
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Laursen
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000196:embryology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy