A study on spectrum of changes induced in placenta in toxemia of pregnancy and its effect on fetal outcome

Background: Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia is the leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.The incidence is found to be higher in developing and underdeveloped countries.Objectives: This study was done tocorrelate the gross and villous abnormalities of the placenta with the severity of toxemia of pregnancy and to assess the effect of these changes on the fetal outcomes.We also compared the incidence of villous abnormalities of placenta in the preeclampsia -eclampsia syndrome with that of normal pregnancies.Gross abnormalities noted were the placental infarcts, retroplacental hematoma, and calcification.Results: The striking villous abnormalities observed in the study group were increase in syncytial knots (90.%), villous stromal fibrosis (53%), fibrinoid necrosis (63%), endarteritis obliterans (36%), decreased villous vascularity, (53.65%).Fetal weight and APGAR score was also significantly reduced in study group and 73% of newborns required nursery admissions.Conclusions: The villous lesions and abnormalities in feta; parameters in the preeclampsia (P < 0.001) and eclampsia syndrome (P < 0.05) were significant.