Study of Histopathological Changes in the Placenta in Preeclampsia

Abstract

Pregnancy disorders include, most commonly, hypertensive disorders, which include gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. Various etiological factors prove to be both risks as well as protective factors, which include genetic factors, maternal smoking (it is inversely related to preeclampsia; that is, smoking decreases the incidence of preeclampsia), and other medical comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and others, including older maternal age and high body mass index. Usually, high maternal and fetal mortality rates are seen with the diagnosis of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and severe morbidity is seen in cases of preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count), along with raised levels of liver enzymes and blood disorders such as low platelet counts. Preeclampsia is considered one of the most serious consequences of pregnancy. These disorders are often presented as newly diagnosed high blood pressure and proteinuria during the last trimester. But it can prove to be fatal for both the mother and the fetus. Though the causative factors of preeclampsia are still unknown, specific clinical and histopathological researchers propose that preeclampsia can be due to pathological changes in the placenta. The basic aim of this article is to discuss various histopathological changes in the placenta due to preeclampsia, but minor topics that affect the pathophysiology of the placenta due to preeclampsia are also mentioned. Furthermore, the effective management of maternal syndrome complications in pregnancy has also been discussed.