Clinical and morphological parallels in preterm birth

The aim of the study was to establish a link between the timing of preterm birth and clinical groups of women of different ages. There were demonstrated the differences in the incidence of preterm birth among women of different reproductive ages in our study were not found (p>0,05). The rate of cesarean delivery was higher (p>0,05) in women who gave birth from 22 to 27 weeks of gestation. The threatened abortions in the I and II trimesters were observed in women of all groups. In women of the I and II groups the phenomena of placental dysfunction in the form of infarcts and retroplacental hematomas on the background of various urogenital infections were revealed. Indicators of compensatory-adaptive response in the placenta are better developed in women who gave birth at 33-37 weeks. Developmental pathology and location of the umbilical cord occurred in women whose children were born in the terminals from 22 to 33 weeks of pregnancy. Mortality among children at 22-27 weeks was higher in parallel with a higher percentage of cesarean sections in the same group compared to the other two groups.

The impact of animal-assisted therapy on psychoneurological status of children with developmental pathology (6 to 12 years)

Currently, there is an increasingly arising question about new non-medicinal remedies for children, including animal-assisted therapy, which uses the person’s own reserves. The method of animal-assisted therapy exerts an effective influence on the positive dynamics in changing the psychoneurological status and higher psychological functions of children with developmental pathology. The application of the animal-assisted therapy method in psychocorrection of children with pathology from 6 to 12 years is the most relevant and quite efficient.

The impact of animal-assisted therapy on psychoneurological status of children with developmental pathology (6 to 12 years)

Currently, there is an increasingly arising question about new non-medicinal remedies for children, including animal-assisted therapy, which uses the person’s own reserves. The method of animal-assisted therapy exerts an effective influence on the positive dynamics in changing the psychoneurological status and higher psychological functions of children with developmental pathology. The application of the animal-assisted therapy method in psychocorrection of children with pathology from 6 to 12 years is the most relevant and quite efficient.

Autologous Partial Thickness Calvarial Graft Sphenocranioplasty for Congenital Transsphenoidal Encephalocele

INTRODUCTION Transsphenoidal encephalocele (TSE) is a rare type of basal encephalocele (BE) with a reported incidence of 1 in 700 000 live births. Clinical presentation is often insidious with a large herniation protrudes through the nasopharynx containing neural elements. Due to the rare occurrence of these lesions, management options can be quite challenging. METHODS Authors present a case report of a 16-yr-old male who has followed for a large transsphenoidal encephalocele. The patient had obstructive sleep apnea with a recent progression of his vision and endocrinopathy symptoms. Unique is the preoperative planning and the surgical details to treat this complex developmental pathology of skull base. RESULTS The timing of mangement of the transsphenoidal encephalocele depends on the progression. Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach was utilized to address this skull base defect. A large herniation containing neural elements was encountered and was sequentially reduced. Authors discuss their novel method of closing the bone defect with an autologous calvarial partial thickness parietal bone graft. Postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperative MR brain revealed significant reduction of TSE with closure of the bony defect. CONCLUSION TSE can be closely monitored; however, surgery is recommended in lieu of progression of symptoms. Sphenocranioplasty with a partial thickness calvarial bone graft through endoscopic endonasal transsphoidal approach is a viable option to treat this rare developmental pathology of skull base.

Kurt Benirschke, MD (1924–2018): Pioneer in Perinatal and Placental Pathology

Kurt Benirschke, noted pathologist and animal conservationist, passed away on September 10, 2018 at the age of 94. Kurt Benirschke is a legendary figure in perinatal pathology and was likely the first pathologist to have a genuine interest in the placenta. With Shirley Driscoll, he wrote the first textbook on placental pathology—The Pathology of the Human Placenta published in 1967. Dr Benirschke combined interests in both human and animal biology—not only was he a noted pathologist and geneticist, but he had expertise in the reproduction of humans and many mammalian species. During his career, he advanced comparative pathology of placentation, and due to his work on the preservation of endangered species, he likely saved a number of species from extinction. He also became internationally known for his creation of the “frozen zoo” collecting embryos and tissues of numerous endangered species. I have been privileged to be among his many friends and colleagues who were awed by the breadth of his extensive knowledge, his humility, and his sense of humor. Benirschke’s life and career, which is reviewed here, should be an inspiration to the Pediatric and Developmental Pathology readership.