A lethal association of congenital apnea with brainstem tegmental necrosis.

ABSTRACT

We present a female with premature birth, polyhydramnios, congenital apnea, cranial nerve palsies, orofacial and limb anomalies. Neuroimaging revealed calcifications along the vental margin of the caudal fourth ventricle. Neuropathologic findings at postmortem examination were consistent with brainstem tegmental necrosis and olivary hypoplasia, a rare lethal entity that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of congenital apnea.