Open AccessPlacenta as an Indicator of Fetal Postnatal Prognosis
Author(s) -
Lauslahti K.,
Ikonen S.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016347909154575
Subject(s) - medicine , placenta , obstetrics , fetus , placenta diseases , fetal monitoring , pregnancy , fetal death , gynecology , genetics , biology
468 placentas were studied microscopically and by gross examination. Velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord, placenta circumvallate, retroplacental hematoma in connection with ablation of the placenta, and cord prolapse were found to be causative factors in asphyxia of the newborn. The increased placental weight was characteristic in maternal diabetes, hepatosis and, sometimes, in cases of infant malformations and specific inflammations. So‐called embryonal persistence was often found histologically in these changes. Small fibrous placentas and those with ramification defects were commonly encountered among cases of toxemia and prolonged gestation. Microscopical placental maturation defects were not indicative of the fetal condition. Thus, only the changes found at gross examination appeared to be a significant indicator of the fetal prognosis.