Morphometric evaluation of the aortic root in stillborns.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the dimensions and amount of collagen in the aortic root of autopsied fetuses at different gestational ages.


METHODS
40 samples of aortic roots were selected from autopsied fetuses with gestational ages ranging between 20 and 40 weeks. The thickness and the area of the aortic wall were analyzed on slides stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and the collagen was quantified on slides stained with Picrosirius, by using an image analyzing system.


RESULTS
A positive correlation was observed between the thickness of the media layer of the aortic wall and the gestational age. There was a positive and significant correlation between the percentage of collagen in the aortic wall with gestational age and fetal weight. The correlation between gestational age and the area of the aortic root circumference was positive and significant. And the correlation between the aortic diameter and the gestational age as well as fetal length was positive and significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The thickness of the media layer, the amount of collagen in the aortic wall, the area of the aortic root circumference and the aortic diameter rose with the increase of the gestational age. Thus, the morphological analysis of the aortic root may help as a parameter during the follow-up of inter-uterine growth and fetal development.
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Mara Lúcia
ML
da Fonseca Ferraz
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Calline Alves
CA
Franco
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Gabriela Ribeiro
GR
Juliano
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Guilherme Ribeiro
GR
Juliano
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
João Antônio
JA
de Almeida
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Maria Helena
MH
Soares
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Lívia Ferreira
LF
Oliveira
Medical School, Atenas University, Paracatu, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: lsantosramalho@yahoo.com.br.
Luciana Santos
LS
Ramalho
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Camila Lourencini
CL
Cavellani
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Ana Paula
AP
Espindula
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Rosana Rosa Miranda
RR
Corrêa
General Pathology Division, Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute (IPTSP), Goiás Federal University (UFG), Goiânia-GO, Brazil.
Flávia Aparecida
FA
de Oliveira
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Marlene Antônia
MA
Dos Reis
General Pathology Sector, Biological and Natural Sciences Institute (ICBN), Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Vicente
V
de Paula Antunes Teixeira
D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001344:Autopsy; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D050497:Stillbirth
D003094:Collagen
Aortic; Autopsy; Fetus; Gestational age; Morphometric