Perinatal pathology
Perinatal pathology
Perinatal pathology includes the study of disorders of the placenta, problems affecting unborn babies’ development, and causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal (newborn) death.
Our research in this area
- Causes of stillbirth
- Classification of perinatal deaths
- Lived experience
- Role of the multi-disciplinary team
Key publications
| Category | Category | Keywords | Year | Title | Abstract | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Perinatal pathology | 2023 |
Cytology techniques can provide insight into human placental structure including syncytiotrophoblast nuclear spatial organisation |
The normal appearance of the human placenta, as seen using modern cytology techniques, is described for the first time, providing novel views of placental structures including the complex linear patterns of nuclear organisation in syncytiotrophoblast. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Perinatal mortality | 2023 |
Barriers to attendance at a tertiary hospital’s perinatal mortality meeting |
Barriers to attendance at perinatal mortality multi-disciplinary team meetings include: Workload and staffing levels, meeting logistics, and lack of communication and education regarding these meetings. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Molar pregnancy / Gestational Trophoblastic Disease | 2022 |
Advances in the diagnosis and early management of gestational trophoblastic disease |
Early identification of women with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease is paramount as this disorder is highly curable. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19, Miscarriage, Neonatal death, Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2022 |
Placental tissue destruction and insufficiency from COVID-19 causes stillbirth and neonatal death From hypoxic-ischemic injury: A study of 68 cases with SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis from 12 countries |
A study of 68 cases of COVID-19 related placental infection (SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis) from 12 countries shows that placental tissue injury from COVID-19 causes stillbirth and neonatal death through hypoxic-ischemic injury. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19, Miscarriage, Neonatal death, Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2022 |
Fetal deaths in Ireland due to SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis caused by SARS-CoV-2 Alpha |
COVID-19 due to SARS-CoV-2 Alpha was associated with seven fetal deaths in the Republic of Ireland in early 2021. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Bereavement care, Neonatal death, Stillbirth | 2021 |
Maternity healthcare chaplains and perinatal post-mortem support and understanding in the United Kingdom and Ireland: An exploratory study |
Study with maternity healthcare chaplains identifies that perinatal post-mortem does not have any religious prohibition and that most maternity healthcare chaplains have been asked about perinatal post-mortem by bereaved parents. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | COVID-19 | 2021 |
SARS-CoV-2 placentitis: An uncommon complication of maternal COVID-19 |
We present a case of third trimester pregnancy with SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduced fetal movements. Placental histology showed SARS-CoV-2 placentitis that may be a marker of potential vertical transmission, possibly causing fetal compromise through placental injury. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2020 |
Small for gestational age infants and the association with placental and umbilical cord morphometry: a digital imaging study |
This study identified which morphometric measurements in combination are associated with SGA infants using digital imaging of the placenta. The morphometric measurements at delivery most strongly associated with SGA infants were placental weight and placental surface area. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2020 |
Antenatal detection of abnormal placental cord insertion across different trimesters: A prospective cohort study |
Our prospective cohort study compared antenatal ultrasound detection of abnormal placental cord insertion across trimesters vs delivered placental classification. Sensitivity & specificity were highest in 2nd trimester, with optimal agreement with postnatal classification. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2019 |
Role of 2-dimensional ultrasound imaging in placental and umbilical cord morphometry: Literature and pictorial review |
This literature review examines the use of 2D ultrasound as a tool to measure and assess placental and umbilical cord morphometry as a screening tool for high risk pregnancies. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2019 |
Rounded intraplacental hematoma - A high risk placental lesion as illustrated by a prospective study of 26 consecutive cases |
A rounded intraplacental hematoma (RIH) is a recently described anomaly of the placenta. This is the first study to identify and collect RIHs using standardised pathological criteria and shows an association between RIHs and stillbirth. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2017 |
Abnormal placental cord insertion and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
Our systematic review of the association of adverse pregnancy outcomes with abnormal placental cord insertion shows an increased risk of emergency Caesarean section, but this is based on a small number of studies & further research is required. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2017 |
Abnormal placental cord insertion and adverse pregnancy outcomes: Results from a prospective cohort study |
Digital imaging provided objective measurements of placental cord insertions, with abnormal insertions significantly associated with an increased risk of SGA and low birth weight. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth | 2016 |
The role of perinatal pathology in the investigation of stillbirth |
An unexplained stillbirth may simply be an uninvestigated one. With specialist pathology services, and an increase in postmortem investigations, there has been a significant decrease in the number of stillbirths whose cause of death is unexplained. | More details Read publication |
|
Journal Article |
Journal Article | Experience, Neonatal death, Stillbirth | 2015 |
Parental decision making around perinatal autopsy: a qualitative investigation |
Parents’ decision-making regarding autopsy is profoundly affected by their emotional response to stillbirth. Clinicians and other health professionals may play a key role, especially if they can address parental concerns regarding the invasiveness of the autopsy procedure. | More details Read publication |
Our people
- Professor Keelin O’Donoghue
- Dr Barbara Burke
- Susan Dineen
- Dr Brendan Fitzgerald
- Dr Amy Fogarty
- Niamh Howard-Jones
- Caroline Joyce
- Dr Karen McNamara
- Dr Daniel Nuzum
- Dr Jessica White