Quantitative macroscopic study on preterm placenta in gestational diabetes mellitus and pregnancy induced...

Preterm birth is the major cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. During the last decade, it has become an important issue in public health policies of developing countries. Gestational diabetes mellitus and Pregnancy induced hypertension are two important high-risk factors for preterm birth. The proposed study aimed to make a macroscopic analysis on the functional tissues (Parenchymal tissues) in preterm placenta in respect of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). The study was observational and cross sectional. The patients under this study were selected from the Obstetric ward of BSMMU and BIRDEM hospital, from June 2005 to October 2005. Sixty-six samples were collected from women during 28 weeks to 36 weeks of gestation. Among them, twenty-two samples were from gestational diabetic mothers, twenty-two were from pregnancy induced hypertensive mothers and twenty-two were from mothers who were non-diabetic and non-hypertensive in current pregnancy. Placentas were fixed and preserved in 10% formal saline solution. The volume proportions of parenchymal and non-parenchymal components were measured by using a point counting technique on formalin fixed placentas. In this study, the GDM group had significantly more absolute volume and mean proportional volume of the parenchyma but less mean proportional volume of the non-parenchyma when compared with Control and PIH group. However, the PIH group had significantly less absolute volume of the parenchyma than the control group and the mean value of the absolute volume of non parenchyma was also less than control value but did not reach a significant level. The results obtained from diseased and control groups demonstrated a significant change in some events, and some trends were also observed among these groups. However, it could be suggest that, in these two pregnancy-induced disorders, there is placental insufficiency where the placenta tries to exert its reserve capacity by changing its functional structures and consequently overcomes the possible damage to the fetus.