Relation between Birth Weight and Placenta Weight

Abstract

With the goal to establish a model that relates birth weight to placenta weight, adjusted for the most documented predictors of birth weight, 300 live newborns were studied, all were products of single gestation. Inclusion criteria were newborns with gestational age of 37 weeks or older according to the date of last menstruation, whose mothers did not have diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, or eclampsia. The weight of the newborn was identified from the anthropometry data collected by previously trained nursing personnel in each of the participating hospitals. Immediately after delivery, the placenta was weighed. Multiple linear regression was used to see the effect of placenta weight and each variable on birth weight. The mean of birth weight was 3,369 g with a standard deviation (SD) of 445 g. Placenta weight had a mean of 537 g (SD: 96 g). The relation between the weight of the placenta and the birth weight was significant, and we found that for each gram increase in placenta weight, birth weight is increased by 1.98 g (SE = 0.25, p < 0.01) and this relation is not linear, since the quadratic term is significant. Placenta weight has a nonlinear relation to the birth weight and is an important predictor of birth weight. Together with the gestational age and the maternal age and size, it explains 32% of the variability of birth weight. Placenta weight can be a ‘sentinel’ indicator of nutritional and/or environmental problems.

The relationship between maternal, placental and newborn parameters

“…The mean placental weight was found at 563.6±135.65 grs, and the mean of newborn weight was 3358±487.58 grs. Similarly, Sanin et al found that the average birth weight was 3369 ± 445 grs, and the average placenta weight was 537±96 grs (Sanin et al, 2001). Benirschke and Kaufmann reported the mean placenta weight at 38 weeks gestation as 470 grs without the cord and membrane; Petekkaya et al found the mean placental weight as 445.14±88 grs.…”

“…Alwasel et al(2010) reported that high maternal body mass index was associated with a high placental ratio (placental weight/birth weight) at birth. Sanin et al (2001) revealed that for each gram increase in placental weight, birth weight increased by 1.98 g.; placental weight has a nonlinear relation to the birth weight and is an important predictor of birth weight. Petekkaya et al (2011) reported that only the relationship between placental weight and newborn weight was found to be statistically significant (r=0.543, p<0.001); no statistically significant relationship was found among placental weight and the age of the mother, number of births, newborn gender and height.…”

Morphometric Study of Placenta in Relation to Birth Weight of Full Term Newborns

“…In a larger population size from Mexico (n: 300 live newborns) Sanin established a model to relate birth weight with placental weight [4]. Placental weight was found to be significantly related to birth weight.…”

Maternal and neonatal predictive variables for quality of cord blood as a source of stem cells

“…This increase in placenta weight results in increased vascularity in the placental disc and giving a larger blood volume. [20] In the current study, there were significant differences between the blood volume and nucleated cell content taken from the first baby and those taken from the after coming ones. There were larger blood volume and higher cellular count among the first born babies compared to the second or more babies.…”