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[Catholic_Lady]

poor brain development, delayed anatomical development, an enlarged and dysfunctional placenta,

There are much finer medical minds than mine on this board but I can certainly see how #3 could cause #'s 1 and 2.  I don't know if this will help but you might look it over.

http://www.healthline.com/health/placent...ufficiency

Outlook

Placental insufficiency can’t be cured, but it can be managed. It’s extremely important to receive an early diagnosis and adequate prenatal care. These can improve the baby’s chances of normal growth and decrease the risks of birth complications. According to Mount Sinai Hospital, the best outlook occurs when the condition is caught between 12 and 20 weeks. 

Your OB-GYN should be your first point of contact.

Good luck, dear.

Thank you Min, you are 100% correct. 

The placental insufficiency was causing the developmental problems and it was also the reason he died... as he was not getting the proper nutrients. Our hope was to find an answer as to why the placenta was bad. Also, while placental insufficiency explains the developmental problems, it does not explain the possible spina bifida if he had it, or the facial deformities. So I fear there were multiple issues at play. 

A problem was first identified during his 18 week sonogram, and initially we thought it was down syndrome with physical defects as well. It wasn't until 20 weeks that we were able to diagnose the placental insufficiency and rule out Down Syndrome with a DNA test of the amniotic fluid (they stuck a needle in my belly to extract some). Unfortunately his condition was severe enough at that point that there was nothing that could be done, and that's when they told me he wouldn't make it to term.