PBL Sessions: Reproductive Organ System

Page 5

History of Present Illness:

The autopsy reveals a 400 gm fetus consistent in size for 17 weeks gestation. There are no external findings except for mild maceration with skin slippage. Internal examination of the organs reveals no anomalies. Examination of the brain shows lissencephaly. Fetal blood and lung cultures are negative. The placenta is examined and weighs 121 gm. It is discoid with a 39 cm long umbilical cord that inserts paracentrally. The maternal surface shows intact cotyledons. The fetal surface is unremarkable except for the finding seen in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Placenta, fetal surface, gross

Figure 3: Placenta, cross section, gross

Figure 4: Placenta, parenchyma, microscopic

Figure 5: Placenta, decidual bed, microscopic

Tasks

• What do these findings indicate?

• What hypotheses explain these findings?

• Explain your reasoning for the hypotheses you choose.

• Is there anything that can tie these findings together?

Stop !! Complete discussions and tasks before moving to the next page.