Study of Histopathological findings of Placenta in Cases of Deliveries at Tertiary Health Care Institute

Placentae from 67 mothers were studied, of which 28 were from mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies, and the remaining were associated with various maternal and fetal disorders. The purpose of this study was to describe the various gross and microscopic findings in the placentae, and to correlate them with various clinical and radiological abnormalities. Gross and microscopic examination of all the placentae was carried out. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were used which were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. This study found a significant increase in neonatal weight, placental weight and placental diameter in cases of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) as compared to cases of Normal Gestation (NG); while neonatal weight, placental weight and placental diameter were significantly lower in cases of maternal anemia, Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) as compared to cases of NG. This study found a significantly increased prevalence of calcifications, syncytial knots, infarcts and fibrinoid necrosis in cases of PIH as compared to cases of NG. Also, the prevalence of sclerotic villi, syncytial knots and chorangiosis was significantly more in cases of GDM than in cases of NG. In addition, the prevalence of sclerotic villi, syncytial knots, infarcts and fibrinoid necrosis was significantly more in cases of maternal anemia than in cases of NG. Overall, the study showed several significant findings, both gross and microscopic, in placentae from mothers and/or foetuses affected by various pathological processes. It was seen that conditions such as GDM, anemia, PIH etc. have a profound effect upon both the foetus and the placenta. Placental examination thus gives an idea of the type and severity of the condition complicating the pregnancy.