Sudden and unexpected fetal death associated with agenesis of the arcuate nucleus in the medulla oblongata

Abstract

Abnormalities have been reported in the medullary arcuate nucleus (ARCN) in unexpected late fetal death. They speculated that this developmental anomaly may underlie cardioventilatory abnormalities intrapartum and postpartum. This article describes a case of an unexpected late fetal death associated with absence of the ARCN.