Placental pathology associated with lenticulostriate vasculopathy (LSV) in preterm infants

Objective Our aim was to examine the frequency and type of placental abnormalities in neonates with LSV. Study design We prospectively reviewed cranial ultrasounds (cUS) from neonates born at ≤32 weeks of gestation at Parkland Hospital between 2012 and 2014. Our cohort included neonates with LSV and gestational age and sex matched controls with normal cUS. We retrieved placental pathology reports retrospectively and compared placental abnormalities in both groups. Results We reviewed 1351 cUS from a total of 407 neonates. Placental pathology evaluations were complete for 64/65 (98%) neonates with LSV and 68/70 (97%) matched controls. There were no significant differences for any type of placental abnormities between LSV and control groups. However, infants with highest stage LSV were more likely to have large for gestational age (LGA) placentas ( p = 0.01). Conclusion The association between LSV and LGA placenta may indicate a shared vascular response to an adverse prenatal environment.