title: Fetal aorta wall inflammation in ultrasound-detected aortic intima/media thickness and growth retardation.
abstract: Several studies have reported that fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and infants with low birth weight present increased intima/media thickness (aIMT) of the abdominal aorta wall compared with fetuses and infants appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Evidence suggested that aIMT might be related to inflammation, probably indicating a very early stage of future adulthood disease, such as atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate histological findings in the abdominal aorta wall of one IUGR stillbirth in which ultrasound had detected aIMT. Microscopy observations of the abdominal aorta wall confirmed the intima thickening and detected condensation of the elastic fibers forming an evident internal elastic membrane and presence of inflammatory elements, such as macrophages, activated endothelial cells, and fibroblastoid cells. The present study highlights that IUGR associated with aIMT is related to inflammation, which might represent a very early sign of future adult lesions.
authors: Department of Sensitive Organs, Policlinic Umberto I, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors: Vincenza Rita
authors: VR
authors: Lo Vasco
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Salmaso
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Zanardo
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Businaro
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Visentin
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Trevisanuto
authors: Erich
authors: E
authors: Cosmi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001025:Aortitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000276:immunology; D050497:Stillbirth; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography