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.

Material And 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.