Placenta pathology questions to the perinatologist.

There are many reasons to advocate a routine screening for placental lesions. A quick study of the surfaces of the freshly delivered organ gives much relevant information. In certain circumstances the organ should be studied histologically, so as to have a permanent record of the pathologic findings, and also to advance our knowledge of some features that we have as yet no answers to. This communication addresses three pathologic findings at placental examination: meconium staining, presence of nucleated red blood cells, and chorangiosis. In all of these lesions, additional data need to be collected with the help of perinatologists so that the pathologic features can be better understood. It is especially desirable that better time frames for the meconium injury and the secretion of nucleated red blood cells be known.