Perinatal Pathology, 4 August 2026

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Emeritus Professor Dr Jane Dahlstrom, OAM

ACT Pathology – Canberra Health Services /

Australian National University

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Case presentation 1, 02:00 PM – 02:40 PM

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​Case 1: Section of liver

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​- 23-year-old mother G8 P4, threatened premature labour 23 weeks

- Female baby born 24 +6 weeks [Apgar 5 and 8 (1 and 5 min)]- usual resuscitation - stable

- Day 5- pale (haemoglobin 42g/L), hypotensive, abdominal distension with greenish discolouration

- Despite active treatment – deteriorated- died Day 6

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• Digital Slide

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Case 2: Section of placental disc​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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​- 29-year-old mother G3 P1 presented at 36+3 weeks, with reduced fetal movements for 24 hours coinciding with an episode of watery diarrhoea. Otherwise well during pregnancy.

- “Non-reassuring” CTG – delivered by caesarean section- same day

- Male baby born 36+3 weeks– Apgar 3, 4 and 5 (1 min, 5 min and 10 min). Evidence of respiratory failure, hypotension, seizures, renal failure, lactic acidosis and coagulopathy

- Clinical diagnosis: sepsis

- MRI brain Day 2: changes of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

- Withdrew care - died Day 4 

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• Digital Slide

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