Foam cells in the placenta in extreme hyperlipaemia.

A case of delivery complicated by extreme hyperlipaemia, probably of the Friederickson type IV, is reported. We found numerous foam cells in the placenta, mainly concentrated at the edge of the fibrin deposits in the intervillous space. In our opinion, based on the results of light microscopical, histo-chemical and electron microscopical examinations, the foam cells are free macrophages originating from the maternal circulation. No other essential histological changes were found, and the placenta functioned adequately.