ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights important aspects of CNS pathology that are seen in fetuses, infants and young children. This pathology has special peculiarities compared to adult pathology for several reasons. First, there are unique pathological consequences of the oncein-a-lifetime event of birth if this occurs in less than optimal circumstances, particularly if it occurs pre - maturely or is prolonged or traumatic. Improvements in obstetric care over the last few decades have fortunately reduced the occurrence of traumatic or prolonged birth, but have seen greater survival of very premature infants many of whom suffer neurological or cognitive deficits related to brain pathology. This pathology, in its most severe form, is seen in infants who succumb early after premature delivery. Second, it is important to define as far as possible the pathology in spontaneous or induced abortions or stillbirths and in early postnatal deaths, since the findings may assist genetic counseling of parents about risks to future pregnancies, depending on whether genetically determined conditions are identified. It also allows confirmation of diagnoses based on prenatal/intrauterine imaging in the case of induced abortions. Third, there is a high prevalence of pathology related to genetic anomalies. Many of these forms of pathology are covered in other chapters, particularly chapters 16, 17 and 20. Finally, the consequences of destructive lesions in the immature brain differ from those in older children and adults, as they depend on the timing of the lesion, with regard to the developmental stage at which they occur.
