Relationship between gross placental characteristics and perinatal outcome of low risk singleton deliveries
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Gross examination of the placenta may provide useful insight into the aetiology of
newborn and maternal complications. A review of literature revealed only a few epidemiological
studies that determined the relationships between placental abnormalities, gestational age and
occurrence of adverse outcome in babies of healthy pregnant women in our region.
Patients and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, between 1st February
and August 2013. Pregnant women in labour at ≥28 weeks’ gestational age with singleton
pregnancies were recruited. Gross examination of the placenta and umbilical cord after delivery
were performed.
Results: Four hundred and twenty-eight singleton deliveries were studied. The average placental
weight was 580.8 ± 130.6 g (range = 125–1500 g). The mean values of the umbilical cord
length and width were 52.7 ± 10.5 cm and 1.96 ± 1.11 cm, respectively. Placental abnormalities
occurred in 1.2%. The umbilical cord was centrally inserted in 290 (67.8%), marginally in 31%
of cases. There was significant but weak positive correlation between the placental weight,
birth weight and gestational age at 40 weeks (P ≤ 0.001, r = 0.356). Placental weight was
directly related to birth weight (P < 0.0001, r = 0.244) and greater in babies with congenital
abnormalities (P = 0.002).
Conclusions: There was an association between placental parameters and foetal outcome at birth.
Placental weight was positively correlated with birth weight, gestational age and occurrence of
congenital abnormalities.
Description
Keywords
foetal outcome, placenta, placental parameters,, placental weight
Citation
Adesina K.T,Ogunlaja O.A, Aboyeji A.P, Akande H.J, Adeniran A.S, Olarinoye A.O, Fawole A.A (2016). Relationship between gross placental characteristics and perinatal outcome of low risk singleton deliveries. Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal.23 (2): 191-195