Histology of Placenta in Intrauterine Growth Restricted Pregnancy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Placenta is found in all eutherian mammals. Study of placenta helps to gather information regarding the prenatal life of the fetus. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) of the fetus occurs due to decreased supply of necessary elements to the fetus via the placenta and as a result some typical histological changes occur in placenta. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: We wanted to study the histological features of placenta in IUGR pregnancy and to compare them with uncomplicated pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the Group A(study group)we had included 50 placentas from mother of IUGR babies with birth weight less than 10 th percentile of normal weight and in Group B(control group)there were 50 placentas from uncomplicated pregnancies. Placentas from mothers with IUGR due to congenital anomaly or infection were excluded. Tissues of placenta were taken and after preparation of slides different histological features like fibrin deposition, cytotrophoblastic hyperplasia, villous pattern, infarction, and calcification were noted. The two groups were compared statistically. RESULT ANALYSIS: In our study Risk ratio 1.36 indicates that in Study group A fibrin deposition was 1.36 times (36%) more than that of control group (risk ratio above or below 1 quantifies the relative increase or decrease in risk associated with).Syncytial knot formation were 1.05 times (5%) more in study group. Calcification 1.6 times (60%) and infarction 1.9 times (90%) higher in study group than control group. Significantly in placenta of study group Cytotrophoblastic hyperplasia (2.56 times more than control group), villous obliteration (3.57 times more than control group) and stromal fibrosis (2.33 times more than control group) were more than the control group. CONCLUSION: The present study depicted specific histological changes of placentas of IUGR pregnancy, thus explaining the role of examination of placenta to acquire knowledge about the prenatal life.