The Role of Measuring Placental Volume for the Prediction of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)*

Abstract

Preeclampsia is today one of the most important causes of perinatal and maternal death around the world. Vascular growth and development during placental process and the implantation are essential for successful pregnancy and outcome. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), affecting 3–7% of all newborns, is the failure of the fetus to reach its growth potential in utero accordance with gestational week. IUGR, which has a negative effect on perinatal mortality and morbidity, is also the weight of the fetus being lower than expected. The most common cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the developed world is placental insufficiency. In this context, the aim of this study is to predict preeclampsia and IUGR in the first trimester with placental volume measurement by using 3D ultrasonography imaging methods in women who were pregnant between 11 and 14 weeks with CRL measurement between 45-84 mm. Quantitative analysis method was used to test the hypothesis of the research and to investigate the relationship between variables. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21. 450 pregnant women, who enrolled in the patient information management system, were the sample of our study. These women applied for the first three months screening test in the Perinatology Department of Manisa Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital and the sample was studied with permission from the ethics committee The relation between placental volume and smoking, weight, gravida, maternal age, gestational age, fetal weight, IUGR, and preeclampsia were found insignificant. In addition, the relationship between the weight of the baby, the relationship between maternal weight, age, gravida and the weeks of pregnancy were also found significant. Preeclampsia appeared in 16 out of 448 cases. Of these 16 cases, 11 (78.6%) had a placental volume of 0-32mm3 and the placenta volume of 5 cases (1.2%) was more than 32mm3. Thus, the relation between placental volume and preeclampsia was statistically found significant (p= 0.000). IUGR was also occurred in 16 out of 448 cases. In 14 cases of these, placental volume was between 0-32 mm3 and placenta volume was more than 32 mm3 in 2 cases. The relation between placental volume and IUGR was also statistically found significant (p = 0.000). The relation between placental volume and preeclampsia and IUGR was statistically found significant (p = 0.000).