Foamy degeneration of placenta.

A case of striking foamy transformation of placental and stromal decidual cells is reported. These findings are similar to those described in the placenta of infants affected by fetal storage disorders. However, in our case a very critical study allowed us to conclude that these changes were non-specific and regressive. They were presumed to be concomitant with fetal death or possibly secondary to oedema or anoxia. This case is reported to demonstrate how difficult the differential diagnosis of the appearance of the placenta in fetal storage disorders may be.