Research on the structure and functions of the placenta: perspectives for understanding pregnancy issues

Abstract

The objective: to assess the diagnostic value of histopathological examination of placentas in women with placenta-associated complications.Materials and methods. Placental samples from 46 patients who gave birth at the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise «City Maternity Hospital No. 2» in 2023 were examined. A retrospective analysis of the histopathological study results was conducted.Results. The study revealed that full-term pregnancies were observed in 52.2% of patients, preterm labor in 30.4%, and prolonged pregnancies in 17.4%. The average age of the patients was 30-35 years. The placental-fetal ratio (PFR) was 0.14±0.01 for preterm labor, 0.13±0.01 for full-term pregnancies, and 0.12±0.02 for prolonged pregnancies. Pregnancy complications, by prevalence, included fetal distress (26.09%), preeclampsia (19.57%), fetal growth restriction (15.22%), antenatal fetal demise (13.04%), placental abruption (13.04%), and postpartum hemorrhage (4.35%). The most common characteristic changes in macro- and micro-preparations were: chorioamnionitis detected in 34.78% of cases, placental infarction – in 43.48% of cases, hematomas were recorded in 6.52% of cases, thromboses – in 4.35%, and hemorrhages – in 10.87%.All these changes, identified during our study, led to chronic placental dysfunction in 69.77% of cases.Conclusions. Pathological changes in the placenta can affect the normal course of pregnancy, leading to various pregnancy complications such as thromboses, hemorrhages, and preterm labor. The study confirms the necessity of timely detection and treatment of pathological processes in the placenta to prevent these complications.There is a need for comprehensive examination of women in the pregravid period, assessment of intrauterine fetal status, and consultation with relevant specialists.