title: Fetal death resulting from an isolated congenital partial pericardial defect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital pericardial defects occur from a defect in the formation of the pleuropericardial membrane during embryonic development. This defect may be asymptomatic but can be fatal if complicated by herniation of any portion of the heart.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report two cases in which herniation of a portion of the heart occurred through a partial left pericardial defect and resulted in fetal death. In case one, there were no fetal symptoms, and in case two, an irregular heartbeat was detected prompting a fetal echocardiogram that was negative for heart abnormalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although isolated congenital pericardial defects are rare, they can result in fetal death. Awareness may help to refine ultrasonography or other diagnostic modalities to evaluate possible congenital pericardial defects in utero.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Autopsy Division, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Maternal Fetal Medicine Division and the Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Abimbola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aina-Mumuney
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Poling
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications*; D006547:Hernia / Q000151:congenital* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010496:Pericardium / Q000002:abnormalities*; D011247:Pregnancy