Abstract
Objective Numerous fetal placenta vascular lesions seem to be a predisposing condition for
some types of perinatal disease. Placental disease and newborn thromboses might be
both manifestations of the same underlying disorder. Objective of this study is to
describe pathological lesions of the placenta in newborns with perinatal thrombosis.
Study Design We present retrospective data review and analysis regarding neonates admitted at
our neonatal intensive care unit and diagnosed with an episode of thromboembolic events
(TE) in the period from 2009 to 2013; among them we report three cases of perinatal
thrombosis in newborns whose placentas demonstrated fetal thrombotic vasculopathy
(FTV).
Results In all the three cases a prothrombotic maternal condition was found, and in one patient
a maternal infection with chorioamnionitis; the histological examination of placenta,
required soon after birth for maternal pathological conditions, was important in confirming
and explaining the clinical diagnosis of neonatal thrombosis and for the management
of future pregnancies.
Conclusion It is proposed that placenta of newborns with TE in first days of life should always
be examined, for its association with FTV and thus the storage of placentas for a
week after birth should be routinely implemented.
Keywords
neonatal thrombosis - fetal thrombotic vasculopathy - placenta - perinatology
