Abstract for presentation at 11th International Congress of Human Genetics

Postmortem Fibroblast Culture after Perinatal Death

  • Katelijne Bouman, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
  • Rolf Sijmons, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
  • Fleurisca Korteweg, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
  • Imanda Alons, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
  • JanJaap Erwich, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
  • Albertus Timmer, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
  • Klasien Gerssen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands

    • Perinatal death is estimated to be due to chromosomal abnormalities in about 10% of cases. In order to karyotype the fetus fibroblast culture after perinatal death is needed. The aim of this study was to determine which factors influence successful growth.
    During a 5 year retrospective study we obtained 389 different tissue samples for fibroblast culture after perinatal death. In 91 cases we also sampled amniotic fluid prenatally. We analyzed the types of tissue, time between birth of the fetus and start of growth of the culture. After sampling, all tissues were transported in sterile saline fluid or culturing medium.
    A second experiment was done with umbilical cord derived from healthy newborn babies. These cords were stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator. In the next 20 days, samples of these cords were put in culture daily.
    Culture of amniotic fluid was successful in 88 cases (97%), whereas fibroblast cultures in 145 (37%) cases. Success rate for pericardium cultures was 44% (71/161), cartilage 42% (54/129) and umbilical cord 33% (65/201). Few skin, fascia lata and placenta cultures were available, success rates were 26% (10/17), 19% (6/32) and 56% (10/17) respectively. Culture was more successful for tissues that arrived at the laboratory within 2 days after birth, than for tissues that arrived later.
    Umbilical cord stored in the refrigerator was more likely to be cultured successfully than cord stored at room temperature. We observed that cord stored in the refrigerator could be cultured up to 14 days storage time and at room temperature up to 2 days storage time.
    In cases of intrauterine death, amniotic fluid should be obtained in order to increase the possibility of karyotyping. Pericardium, cartilage and umbilical cord are the tissues of preference for fibroblast culture postnatally. Tissue should be stored below room temperature in a refrigerator and sent to the laboratory as soon as possible in order to obtain a successful culture.

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