Clinicopathological Examination Of Placenta In Low Birth Weight Newborns Versus Normal Birth Weight Newborns- A Prospective Study In A Tertiary Healthcare Centre

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The antenatal health-care given to pregnant women influences the rates of perinatal death and morbidity. Amongst the different causes of perinatal mortality, low birth weight (LBW) is the single most significant factor. Placenta is a record of prenatal experience of an infant as it undergoes changes continuously throughout the gestation to support the prenatal life. Therefore, placenta from all the LBW babies should be examined routinely to find out the likely cause.

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinicopathological features of placenta of LBW newborns and of normal birth weight newborns.

METHODS: This was a case control prospective study. Forty placentae of newborns with LBW were cases and 40 placenta of normal birth weight newborns were controls. Antenatal and delivery details were collected. Gross and microscopic examination of placenta was done.

RESULTS: Maternal age, BMI, parity and period of gestation (POG) were tabulated. The lesions observed were surface disruption, fibrosis, infarction, calcification, necrosis of vessels, hyalization of villi and chorioamnitis.

DISCUSSION: Placental pathology is encountered often in LBW babies and can indicate an underlying pathology. Maternal age and BMI along with placental weight and POG were statistically significant. The cases showed infarction in 30%, surface disruption in 12.5%, calcification in 25%, necrosed vessels in 35%, & fibrosis in 40% cases, which were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: The study shows that LBW infants had considerably more placental pathology than the control group. Hence, all LBW newborns' placentas should be examined regularly to evaluate the underlying placental pathology.