The fetal adrenal gland: definitive cortex cystic change, lipid patterns, and their relationship to fetal disease and maturity.

A study of 103 fetal adrenals obtained from stillborn fetuses and those dying in the neonatal period was performed to assess the significance of definitive cortex cystic change, compact cell change and lipid patterns, and their relationship to other pathological processes. The findings confirm that these changes are more common in intrauterine infection and antepartum hemorrhage and are to a lesser extent complications of prematurity. They also correlate with gestational age. It is proposed that the changes seen are due to the gland being immature.