Developmental Pathology Of The Embryo And Fetus

An illustrated textbook which describes the developmental pathology of the embryonic, foetal and perinatal periods. The first half of the book discusses such topics as normal development, concepts of embryo-foetal disease and dysmorphology, metabolic, infectious, neoplastic and placental disorders, and the pathology of abortions and multiple gestation. The second half focuses on systemic pathology. The book concludes by examining the autopsy of foetus and embryo and examination of the placenta.

This book is designed primarily for anatomic pathologists to facilitate their task of accurately diagnosing embryos and fetuses. A detailed examination of the products of spontaneous and induced abortions is necessary for accurate genetic counseling and for establishing the risk for specific abnormalities or another spontaneous pregnancy loss in the future. The growing interest in the defects of early development reflects the profound change in general life-style. In the past, spontaneous abortions were considered a common, usually sporadic event in a patient's reproductive history. Only reassurance and encour agement were given to the patient and scant attention was paid to the detailed pathology of the abortus. Nowadays, however, as a result of reliable methods of contraception and of the availability of reliable prenatal diagnosis for chromosome abnormalities more frequent in advanced maternal age, significant numbers of parents plan to have pregnan cies later in their reproductive life. Consequently, in a case of spontaneous abortion, the question of "cause" and of "future risk" of recurrence of abortion or an abnormal infant is particularly important. In the era of more elaborate and accurate prenatal diagnostic tests, the pathologist examining products of conception has a primary responsibility to detect, in both spontaneous and induced abortions, any developmental abnormality that would indicate an increased risk of multifactorial, chromosomal, and single gene disorders in a subsequent child.

Uniquely authoritative and exhaustively illustrated in color, this atlas provides the clinician with a visual guide to diagnosing congenital anomalies in every organ system in the human fetus.

The early development of the mammalian embryo belongs to a period which, for the student, provides the particularly deep fascination connected with the processes of germination of the fIrst tender buds of life. Moreover, developmental biology encompasses a very large part of biology; if broadly dermed - almost all of it. The same is true for the fIeld of pathology if the manifold possibilities of disorders of the orderly arranged pathways of developmental processes are considered. Normal development in its earliest steps - and it would be diffI cult to see it otherwise - means the functioning of very intricate systems of complex inter dependent cycles controlled by structural, genetic, physiological and biochemical determi nants. However, disturbances interfering with them in their very different ways, can lead to fetal death, disorders of growth and differentiation, malformation and disease, sometimes as late as in the next generation or later. This is, indeed, the concern of the pathologist to whom and to whose interest in developmental pathology, this book is dedicated. The outlines of the present volume were conceived at a symposium on "Control of early em bryogenesis and factors responsible for failure of embryonic development" held May 1-4, 1974 in Travemtinde and sponsored by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Almost fIfty active participants attended this conference. At the time and in keeping with the purpose of the conference, publication of the proceedings was not envisaged.

This comprehensive reference addresses all aspects of fetal and neonatal pathology, including complicated pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, abortion, placental pathology, and disorders affecting the full-term neonate. A consistent organization allows for quick access to specific guidance, and nearly 2,500 illustrations - 2,350 in full color - depict conditions and abnormalities as they present in practice, facilitating diagnosis. An Image Bank on CD-ROM - new to this edition - features all of the illustrations from the 2-volume set, downloadable for presentations. Offers comprehensive coverage of all common and rare embryonic, fetal, and infant disorders in one source. Correlates clinical, pathologic, and genetic findings for each systemic disease. Emphasizes the genetic and molecular basis of birth defects. Features nearly 2,500 illustrations - 2,350 in full color - which depict each abnormality or condition as they present in practice. Presents practical information on autopsy techniques and protocols. Provides the latest guidance on molecular pathology, immunohistochemistry, DNA technology, and more. Offers an expanded discussion of developmental biology related to the pathogenesis of birth defects. Features user-friendly summary tables and diagnostic flow charts, making information quick and easy to find. Includes a CD-ROM featuring all of the illustrations from the 2-volume set.

A valuable insight into fetal growth and development across all the main body systems.

Scientific Frontiers in Developmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment reviews advances made during the last 10-15 years in fields such as developmental biology, molecular biology, and genetics. It describes a novel approach for how these advances might be used in combination with existing methodologies to further the understanding of mechanisms of developmental toxicity, to improve the assessment of chemicals for their ability to cause developmental toxicity, and to improve risk assessment for developmental defects. For example, based on the recent advances, even the smallest, simplest laboratory animals such as the fruit fly, roundworm, and zebrafish might be able to serve as developmental toxicological models for human biological systems. Use of such organisms might allow for rapid and inexpensive testing of large numbers of chemicals for their potential to cause developmental toxicity; presently, there are little or no developmental toxicity data available for the majority of natural and manufactured chemicals in use. This new approach to developmental toxicology and risk assessment will require simultaneous research on several fronts by experts from multiple scientific disciplines, including developmental toxicologists, developmental biologists, geneticists, epidemiologists, and biostatisticians.

This comprehensive reference addresses all aspects of fetal and neonatal pathology, including complicated pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, abortion, placental pathology, and disorders affecting the full-term neonate. A consistent organization allows for quick access to specific guidance, and nearly 2,500 illustrations - 2,350 in full color - depict conditions and abnormalities as they present in practice, facilitating diagnosis. An Image Bank on CD-ROM - new to this edition - features all of the illustrations from the 2-volume set, downloadable for presentations.