[Pathological analysis of 76 placentae in fetal distress]

The result of pathological analysis of 76 placentae and their appendices from clinically diagnosed fetal distress in year 1985-1989 is here presented. The findings could be classified into 4 groups; lesions due to disturbance of maternal blood flow and villous ischemia or hypoxia; retardation of development and malformation of villi; lesions due to haematogenous and ascending infection and pathological changes of the umbilical cord. The clinical significance of these pathological changes was discussed. We suggested that some lesions such as villous growth retardation, placental haemangioma, choriangiosis, infection of the placenta, single umbilical artery etc, could cause fetal distress, and villitis, single umbilical artery could sufficiently impair placental function so as to retard fetal growth or cause fetal malformation. The etiology of some placental lesions needs further study.