Placental histopathology in full term low birth weight new born babies in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Background: Placenta is a vital structure for fetomaternal circulation and it is directly related to growth and development of the fetus. Placental examination, provides important information regarding maternal complications, perinatal fetal death, perinatal fetal diagnosis and multiple pregnancies. Placental changes like infarct, syncytitial knots, fibrinoid necrosis, basement membrane thickening are associated with retarded growth of the new born. Materials and Methods: Fifty freshly delivered placenta of full term low birth weight babies were examined for gross features and histomorphological features. Gross findings like weight of the placenta, attachment of cord, diameter, volume and shape of placenta were noted. Placental changes like infarct, calcification, syncytitial knots, fibrinoid necrosis, basement membrane thickening are associated with retarded growth of the new born also been evaluated in comparison to other studies. Results: Fifty placentas from full term low birth weight babies were studied. Most of the mothers are in the age group of 22-27 years with primi contributing to 74%. Gross findings like marginal attachment of placenta contribute to 32%, eccentric attachment in 12% cases were noted. Microscopic findings like fibrinoid necrosis(64%), infarct(52%), calcification(36%), syncytial knots(76%). Conclusion: Histopathological study of placenta is reasonably simple technique in identifying the pathological findings contributing to the low birth weight in full term mothers in addition to the clinical exmination. Gross features like attachment of umbilical cord to placenta and microscopic findings like fibrinoid necrosis, infarct, calcification, syncytial knots strongly attribute to uteroplacental insufficiency in full term low birth new born when compared to other histomorpholgical studies in the literature.

Evaluation of Placental Pathology in Term Low Birth Weight Babies

“…The human placenta is a unique organ that is attached to the uterus on one side and connected to the fetus through the umbilical cord on the other side. It is a vital structure for fetomaternal circulation and is related to the growth and development of the fetus by providing the fetus with nourishment, oxygen and protection by its excretory, immunological and endocrine functions (Magesh et al, 2019) Low birth weight (LBW) is the single most significant factor for perinatal mortality and about 2/3 deaths occurs in infants with birth weight less than 2,500 g . Due to its important role in determining pregnancy outcome, meticulous examination of the placenta for getting information about the cause of low birth weight has been recommended (Royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologists, Green top guidelines, 2010.…”

“…Thus, researchers for a long time are curious in finding the association of placental pathological findings and its relationship with LBW. Factors like deficiencies in nutrition, anemia, alcohol intake, genetic causes and multigravida are considered risk factors in full term low birth weight babies (Magesh et al, 2019).…”