Anemia in a neonate with placental mesenchymal dysplasia

Although placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) can coexist with a completely normal fetus, a review of 82 cases indicated that approximately 40% of fetuses with PMD die in utero 1. However, the cause of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is uncertain in most PMD cases. Abrupt worsening of fetal condition was documented within 1 day after confirming fetal well‐being in at least two PMD cases 2, 3. These reports prompted us to recommend early admission of a woman with PMD at gestational week (GW) 30 to our hospital for intensive monitoring of fetal well‐being. This case suggested that the intensive monitoring of fetal well‐being using ultrasound contributes to the avoidance of IUFD in some PMD cases. The Hokkaido University Hospital Institutional Review Board approved this study and the patient provided written informed consent.