Study of Placental Insufficiencies in IUGR Babies in Term Pregnancies

Abstract

Introduction: In intrauterine growth restricted babies, at term, the placenta might hold the key to the etiology. This present study is aimed at comparison of data of gross and pathological study of placentae from normal weight (control) and IUGR groups and attempted to establish a relationship between placenta pathology and intrauterine growth retardation in term pregnancy.

Aims and Objectives: 1. To study placental factors associated with IUGR. 2. To study prevalence of placental factors in details. Material and Methods: A study of 100 patients, with more 37 and less 42 weeks of gestation wasconducted for 2yrs in a tertiary care hospital. A thorough general examination&Systemic examination which included per abdominal examination including uterine height, abdominal girth, symphysio fundal height, estimated fetal weight, abdominal grips, fetal heart auscultation, and per vaginal examination. Routine and specific investigations will be sent for clinical correlation. Placenta obtained after delivery was send for macroscopic and microscopic examination to pathologist. The reports obtained will be used to study placental causes in IUGR and placenta in detail.

Result: Average placental weight of term pregnancy is 400 gms and placental coefficient is 0.18. decidual surface area is 254 cm2 and its thickness is 2.72cm. Retroplacental haemorrhage is closely associated with PIH. Microscopic infarction is found with high frequency (p<0.005). Placenta of IUGR fetus, gross pathological changes like severe infarction with or without retroplacental haematoma can obviously be noted but they are not found to be statistically significant. Placental coefficient is increased in cases of anemia. Syncytial knot formation in excess and thickening of basement membrane is well correlated.