Complete and partial hydatidiform moles are abnormal products of conception that can be identified by clinical, ultrasonographic, morphologic, histologic, and genetic methods. The diagnosis is usually confirmed only by histological examination. However, accurate diagnosis based on morphological criteria is difficult and some studies have shown that misclassifications are common, even when analysed by highly experienced pathologists.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpontaneous abortions in the first trimester of gravidity represent a clinically significant problem that can affect up to 15% of recognized pregnancies. The causes of early pregnancy loss are very heterogeneous and include genetic, environmental and immunological factors. Although the pathologist's main task is to exclude molar pregnancy, in some cases conventional histological examination can also contribute to the elucidation of the cause of miscarriage and the management of subsequent pregnancies, especially in the case of lesions with a high risk of recurrence that may lead to habitual abortion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPostpartum haemorrhage is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The pathologist encounters only a limited spectrum of causes leading to postpartum haemorrhage. The most common causes are retained placenta and placental site subinvolution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHydatidiform mole is the most common form of gestational trophoblastic disease. It is an abnormally formed placental tissue with characteristic changes in karyotype, arising in fertilization disorders. The presence of abundant paternal genetic information plays a key role in the pathogenesis of complete and partial hydatidiform moles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCovid-19 disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continues to be a global public health problem. Since the pandemic outbreak in early 2020, a number of cases have been reported in pregnant women whose infection has led to severe complications including preterm birth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction or intrauterine fetal demise. The results of the current studies suggest that the transplacental transmission of infection from mother to fetus is a rare event and that the complications listed above are more likely due to damage of placental tissue.
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