Placental characteristics and birthweight

Abstract

Standard gross placental measures capture dimensions relevant to specific placental functions. Our objective was to determine their accountability independent of placental weight for variance in birthweight, an important proxy for intrauterine 'adequacy' in fetal origins studies. The sample consisted of 24 152 singleton liveborn children of the Collaborative Perinatal Project delivered from 34 to 42 completed weeks gestation, with complete data for six placental measures (placental disc shape, umbilical cord length, distance from cord insertion to nearest margin, large diameter, small diameter, placental thickness) and placental weight. Associations between birthweight and placental measures were examined using multiple linear regression. Placental weight alone accounted for 36.6% of birthweight variation; the six other placental measures accounted for 28.1%. Combined, all placental measures accounted for 39.1% of birthweight variation. Seven maternal characteristics (age, height, weight, parity, socio-economic status, cigarette use, and race) were investigated to determine whether their known associations with birthweight were mediated by placental markers. Analysis suggested that the impact of all maternal characteristics except smoking was consistent with mediation by placental characteristics.

Fetal growth restriction triggered by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is associated with altered placental vasculature and AhR-dependent changes in cell death

“…Thus investigations into the impact of the changes in placental vascular architecture are currently underway. Finally, although we did not observe any change in placental weight associated with PAH exposure, these data correspond to those observed in the population of human smokers (44,52,62,69). Thus maternal administration of PAHs in mice can recapitulate the placental vascular changes triggered by smoking in humans.…”

Maternal Demographic and Placental Risk Factors in Term Low Birth Weight in Ghana

“…Previous reports have suggested that a shift in the centrality of the umbilical cord insertion on the chorionic plate reflects the level of vasculature available for nutrient supply [17,23]. Thus, a greater shift leads to a lower level of vascular distribution available for nutrient exchange (and vice versa) [24].…”

“…The developing fetus is obligatorily dependent on the mother for nutrient supply and so maternal adequate nutrition is critical for the provision of the required amounts of nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids) for the developing fetus [15]. On the other hand, the placenta must be well developed and healthy to ensure that the available nutrients from the mother are delivered to the fetus [16,17]. Comparative studies of maternal socio-demographic factors in various countries and in subSaharan Africa show that young age (and/or maternal age greater than 35), a single motherhood and lifestyle behaviours (e.g.…”

Umbilical cord levels of sclerostin, placental weight, and birth weight are predictors of total bone mineral content in neonates

“…The second pathway affects fetal growth indirectly by modifying the placental nutritional transport and metabolism. Accordingly, the placental weight has been shown to be closely correlated with the birth weight in large studies (40).…”