Ultrastructural study of the amniotic epithelium in a case of gastroschisis.

A distinct vacuolar change in the amniotic epithelium has been reported in association with gastroschisis. Ultrastructural examination of the placenta from a case with gastroschisis demonstrated numerous lipid droplets in the epithelial cells. The epithelial cells were otherwise intact and did not appear degenerated. The appearance of the lipid was different from meconium in macrophages in the underlying chorion.