[Morphometric examinations of placenta in stillbirth]

A total of 10 placentas was examined morphometrically following fetal death in utero. In 8 placentas a reduced fetal vascular surface could be observed. In 2 cases the cause of death could be revealed neither clinically nor patho-anatomically, while morphometric investigations demonstrated considerable restrictions of the vascular surface of the villi. In addition to the usual histological placental diagnostics, the morphometric assessment of placentas is recommended.