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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
Risk factors for uteroplacental vascular compromise and inflammation
Arthur M Baker1, Joe M Braun, Carolyn M Salafia
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7516, USA. abaker2@med.unc.edu
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to identify potentially modifiable risk factors of placental injury that reflect maternal uteroplacental vascular compromise (UPVC) and acute and chronic placental inflammation.
Study Design:
A prospective epidemiologic study was conducted. A total of 1270 placentas were characterized by gross and microscopic examination. Placental pathologic condition was coded for features of amniotic fluid infection syndrome (AFIS), chronic villitis, UPVC, and fetal vascular obstructive lesions. Odds ratios between UPVC, the acute and the chronic inflammatory lesions, and risk factors of interest were calculated.
Results:
After adjustment for confounders, we found that women with a history of preterm birth had 1.60 times the odds of chronic inflammation (95% CI, 1.10, 2.55). Women with a previous elective termination had 3.28 times the odds of acute inflammation (95% CI, 1.89, 5.70). The odds of chronic villitis increased with parity; the odds of AFIS decreased with parity.
Conclusion:
We have identified several predictors of UPVC, AFIS, and chronic villitis. Further studies are needed to examine whether interventions to alter UPVC, AFIS, and chronic villitis will lead to improved pregnancy outcomes.
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