Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
05:22
Ex vivo Culture of Human Placental Explants for the Study of Viral Transmission Across the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: December 30, 2025
Pathologic examination of the placenta and observed practice
William M Curtin1, Sarah Krauss, Leon A Metlay
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. william_curtin@urmc.rochester.edu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|January 2, 2007
Summary
Pathologic placental examination occurred in only 18.2% of eligible deliveries, significantly below the expected 37.5% based on College of American Pathologists guidelines. This underutilization suggests a need to re-evaluate current placental examination policies.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pathology
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Placental examination is crucial for understanding perinatal outcomes.
- The College of American Pathologists (CAP) established guidelines in 1997 for recommended placental examination.
- Adherence to these guidelines ensures comprehensive pathologic assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the percentage of deliveries eligible for placental examination based on CAP guidelines.
- To compare the expected number of placental examinations with the observed practice.
- To identify factors influencing placental examination rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of live-birth delivery records (≥20 weeks gestation) from 2001.
- Calculation of expected placental examinations per CAP indications.
- Comparison with observed placental examinations using statistical analyses (t-tests, chi-squared, logistic regression).
Main Results:
- Only 18.2% of eligible deliveries underwent pathologic placental examination, significantly lower than the expected 37.5%.
- Placental examination rates were below expectations in 9 out of 14 specified categories.
- Factors associated with examination included gross abnormalities, multiple gestation, prematurity, and cesarean delivery.
Conclusions:
- Current placental examination rates fall short of CAP guideline recommendations.
- Less than half of eligible placentas were examined, indicating significant underutilization.
- Re-evaluation of institutional and national policies for placental examination is warranted given advances in understanding placental pathology and infant outcomes.