Abstract
Introduction: Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy contribute significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Since placenta is the functional unit between the mother and fetus examination of placenta can give an idea about prenatal experience of fetus. The aim is to observe the morphology and histopathology of placenta in pregnancy with severe preeclampsia / eclampsia between 20-42 weeks of gestation.Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Department of Pathology at Institute of Medicine, Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital, TUTH for one year, starting from 15th May 2015 - 14th May 2016. A total 55 placentas, 48 of severe preeclampsia and 7 of eclampsia were collected and placental morphometric parameters, gross and histopathological features were examined.Results: It was found that placental morphometric parameters were significantly reduced. Histopathological study showed significant number of syncytial knots, areas of fibrinoid necrosis, hyalinization and calcification. These placental findings were associated with significantly decreased weight of fetus at birth.Conclusions: Preeclampsia and eclampsia cause significant placental morphometric and histological changes which in turn adversely affects neonatal birth weight.Nepalese Medical Journal, vol.1, No. 1, 2018, page: 32-35
Highlights
Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy contribute significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality
All singleton pregnancies between 20-42 weeks with severe preeclampsia/eclampsia were included in the study, exclusion criteria being multiple pregnancies, pregnancies with GDM, vascular disorders, renal disease, connective tissue disease, chronic HTN, heart disease and congenital malformations
Out of 62 PE cases, only 48 meeting the inclusion criteria and all 7 cases of eclampsia were included in the study
Summary
Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy contribute significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Hypertensive disorders complicate 5-10% of all pregnancies, and contribute greatly to maternal morbidity and mortality. Of these disorders, the preeclampsia syndrome, either alone or superimposed on chronic hypertension (HTN) is the most dangerous.[1]. Pregnancy complications like HTN are reflected in the placenta in a significant way (both macroscopically and microscopically). As placenta is a mirror which reflects the intrauterine status of the foetus, examination of placenta gives a clear idea of what had happened with it, when it was in the mother’s womb and what is going to happen with the foetus in future.[4,5]
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