Investigating the relationship between placenta characteristics and pregnancy and newborn outcomes

Background: Maternal, neonatal, and environmental factors play a significant role in predicting fetal health.Additionally, placental characteristics are recognized as key factors in this regard.Evaluating placental anthropometry as an effective indicator for predicting fetal health can help identify potential disorders.This study aimed to determine the association between placental characteristics and neonatal outcomes.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 230 term pregnant women referred for delivery.The placenta was first examined, and its anthropometric features, including the largest diameter and weight, were measured.Additionally, neonatal weight and Apgar scores at the first and fifth minutes were recorded.Moreover, a questionnaire containing demographic and pregnancy-related information was completed to collect supplementary data.Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20 software, employing t-tests and Pearson correlation tests.Results: A significant correlation was observed between placental weight and neonatal birth weight (r=0.476,p<0.001).However, no significant correlations were found between placental characteristics (including weight and diameter) and meconium-stained amniotic fluid, first-minute Apgar score, neonatal sex, and maternal age (P>0.05). Conclusion:The positive association between placental weight and neonatal birth weight can serve as a warning indicator for identifying potential neonatal health risks.These findings not only contribute to improving prenatal care strategies but also pave the way for further studies in this field.