Developmental and Neonatal Neuropathology

Abstract

The morphological expression of abnormalities of development in the CNS is varied. The abnormality may be anatomical, i.e. structural, presenting as a developmental malformation or biochemical, presenting as a functional abnormality without structural change. Abnormal fetal development may thus result in a non-viable conceptus, leading to spontaneous abortion or stillbirth, to a dysraphic state, or to motor and behavioural retardation without specific clinical features. The viability of a conception depends on the nature and severity of the defect in the CNS and of any associated defects. Abnormalities of development of the CNS may be associated with defects in other organ systems. Gross defects result in spontaneous abortion, but some less severe anomalies may not become evident until late infancy or even adult life.