GROSS BRAIN MALFORMATION IN RELATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE IMMUNEAND ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

This study reports a comparison of spontaneously aborted, but normally developed foetuses with anencephalic fetuses The aim was to examine n euro-endocrine-immune interrelationships during ontogeny. In anencepha lic foetuses with a grossly damaged brain and absence of the pituitary gland the adrenals thyroid and the thymus were structurally poorly de veloped. In seven foetuses with no external malformations primary adre nal gland atrophy was found in four case but no structural changes wer e observed in other endocrine glands and thymus.