Perinatal Pathology Service

About the Service

The Perinatal Pathology group provides diagnostic services to patients at UC San Diego, including review of placentas from complicated pregnancies, gravid hysterectomies, and fetal and neonatal autopsies

Placentas are generally reviewed from pregnancies affected by maternal disorders (including, but not limited to, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome, as well as underlying maternal diseases such as diabetes or lupus), neonatal complications (including, but not limited to, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, admission to the neonatal ICU), or placental abnormality (e.g. true knot of the umbilical cord or retained placenta). A thorough gross and histologic review of the placenta has the potential to confirm underlying obstetric and neonatal diseases, and identify the etiology for, and/or ascertain the recurrence risk of, such complications.

Fetal and neonatal autopsies are performed following informed consent from parent(s), and in close collaboration with the consulting physician(s). Complete (or limited) autopsies are performed, following the family's wishes, in conjunction with placental examination, not just to identify the cause of death, but also to pinpoint potential underlying conditions which could have affected this pregnancy and to ascertain recurrence risk for subsequent pregnancies.

We are available for consultation on both placental pathology and fetal/neonatal autopsy cases.

Patient Initiated Consultation:

1. Complete the PATIENT Request for Consultation form
2. Slides from the outside facility need to be sent to UC San Diego Health
   Please note: It is the responsibility of the patient to contact the outside facility and coordinate the slide transport to UCSD.
3. Include corresponding pathology report - in English
4. Include any additional pertinent clinical history/information or records that you would like our pathologists to know for the review.
5. Include patient Face sheet or patient demographics, including insurance information.
   - Patient address
   - Date of birth
   - Phone number
   - Insurance information - if applicable
6. Send slides via FedEx to:
   UC San Diego Health, ECOB
   Anatomic Pathology, Case Referrals
   9444 Medical Center Drive, #1-200
   La Jolla, CA 92037
   Ph: (858) 657-6772

Facility/Provider Initiated Consultation:

1. Complete the PROVIDER Request for Consultation form
2. Slides from the outside facility need to be send to UC San Diego Health
3. Include corresponding pathology report - in English
4. Include any additional pertinent clinical history/information or records that you would like our pathologists to know for the review.
5. Include patient Face sheet or patient demographics, including insurance information.
   - Patient address
   - Date of birth
   - Phone number
   - Insurance information - if applicable
6. Send slides via FedEx to:
   UC San Diego Health, ECOB
   Anatomic Pathology, Case Referrals
   9444 Medical Center Drive, #1-200
   La Jolla, CA 9203
   Ph: (858) 657-6772
   

Ordering recommendations for the Perinatal Pathology Service can be found here:

UC San Diego Health | Tests (testmenu.com)

Meet Our Faculty

• Mana M. Parast M.D., Ph.D., Director of Perinatal Pathology Service
• Omonigho Aisagbonhi M.D., Ph.D.
• Connor Zuraski, M.D., M.B.A.