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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
The placenta in pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction
1Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. djroberts@partners.org
Abstract:
Placental examination in pregnancies with complications such as pre-eclampsia/toxaemia of pregnancy (PET) or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can provide insight into specific diagnoses, recurrence risk and chronicity. Placental findings have clinical significance as they can identify the aetiology of the IUGR (as in inborn errors of metabolism) and predict recurrence (as in maternal floor infarcts). Evaluation of obstetric pathology in such pregnancies should be an integral part of clinical care. This review will highlight the placental findings in IUGR and PET.
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