Histopathological evaluation of placentas in IUGR pregnancies

Gross and microscopic examination was conducted on one hundred placentas. These included twenty five normal controls and seventy five from intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) pregnancies. Weight of the placentas from IUGR pregnancies were less than those of normal placentas. The incidence of infarction, intervillous fibrin deposition were much higher in IUGR placentas on gross examination. Highly significant increase in the incidence of infarction, intervillous fibrin deposition, stromal fibrosis and syncytial knotting were found in IUGR placentas compared to full term normal placentas on microscopic examination. The incidence of basement membrane thickening and cytotrophoblastic hyperplasis were also higher in IUGR placentas. All the major histologic findings pointed towards reduced blood flow to the placentas resulting in the restriction of blood flow to fetus. The information obtained from their examination can be a useful adjunct in planning and management of future pregnancies.