Placental changes in pregnancy induced hypertension

A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in Gynae and Obstetrics & Pathology department of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) to see the placental changes in normal pregnant & pregnancy induced hypertensive (PIH) mother. Total 80 placentas were collected, 40 from normal pregnant mothers having no hypertension and 40 from PIH group (one from gestational hypertension, 17 from pre-eclampsia and 22 from eclamptic mother). Macroscopic study of the placenta revealed placental weight, surface area and number of cotyledons were less in study group. Mean placental weight in study group was 419.50gm and in control group was 477.50gm (p<0.001). Mean surface area in study group & control group were 232.29cm² and 304.80cm² respectively (p<0.001). Mean number of cotyledons were 15.39 and 17.40 in study & control group respectively (p<0.001) and lower diameter of umbilical cord p<0.04667. But in the present study placental thickness was not significant p<0.539. In PIH group, macroscopic infractions were more marked. There was a single umbilical artery present in one patient in PIH group. In PIH group syncytial knots (95%), fibrinoid necrosis (80%), VSM formation, sclerosis, chorangiosis and calcification were more marked. Infarction was present in placenta of PIH 34(85%) and in control group 8(20%). Common placental changes were significant in this study. So, early intervention in PIH is rational to get the good perinatal morbidity and mortality.