Publication:

Morphological study of placenta in pregnancy induced hypertension

Background The intrauterine existence of fetus is dependent on one vital organ 'the placenta’. The placenta reflects the status of maternal hypertension as it is the mirror of maternal and fetal health. The hypertensive disorders complicate 5-10% of all pregnancies and form a dangerous triad with haemorrhage and infection that contributes greatly to maternal morbidity and mortality. The fetus is dependent on placenta for growth and development. Many disorders of pregnancy like hypertension are accompanied by gross and histological changes in placenta. Aim of the study was to study the various morphological lesions of placenta in pregnancy induced hypertension and compare them with normal pregnanciesMethods: Gross and microscopic examination was conducted on 70 placentas. These included 15 normal placentas and 55 placentas from pregnancy induced hypertension.

Results In PIH, on gross the placenta showed areas of infarction, perivillous fibrin deposition and basal decidual haematoma, while microscopically showed increased syncytial knotting, cytotrophoblasitc proliferation, basement membrane thickening, vasculosyncytial membrane deficiency, infarction and fibrinoid necrosis.

Conclusions Maternal disorders affect the placental histology and can be detected by morphological examination of such placentae. The placenta from hypertensive pregnant women show significant morphological changes as compared to control, which may alter the perinatal outcome.