A morphological and microscopic study of human placentae in uncomplicated pregnancies

Background:The placenta can sometimes provide exceedingly useful information relating to the perinatal morbidity and mortality, and the prognosis of subsequent pregnancies.Examination of the placenta in cases of poor pregnancy outcome could provide information useful to the Obstetrician and Neonatologist.Objectives: To study the normal variations in macroscopic and microscopic features of normal human placenta.Materials and methods: Two hundred and twenty four placentae were collected from the labour room of Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital over a period of one year.Of these 96 were from clinically uncomplicated, full term, singleton deliveries, and were subjected to morphological and histopathological examination.Results: In normal pregnancies there was significant correlation between the baby birth weight and the placental weight.Also female babies were found to have lower birth weight and placental weight as compared to male babies.A number of variations in the macroscopic and microscopic structure could be observed in many of the specimens, even though the pregnancy outcome appeared clinically within normal limits.Conclusions: A morphological and microscopic study of the placenta in uncomplicated pregnancies showed a wide range of variations, compatible with a normal maternal and foetal outcome.