FETAL NEUROPATHOLOGY - NEW APPROACH

Recognition of central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities by prenatal imaging has awakened interest in fetal neuropathology, considered as a terra incognita by most pathologists. The evaluation of fetal brains implies a perfect knowledge of the timing and characteristics of the d eveloping and changing nervous system? during gestation. Disorders of the brain are now studied with special regard toward their cause analy sis considering Setal, maternal, and placental pathology. Thus, with t his new approach and the distinction between primary and secondary CNS lesions, an effective genetic counselling has become a realistic goal . Examining fetal blains has led on the other land, to the recognition of distinct entitles and the identification of specific chromosomal a nd/or gene(s) abnormalities.