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Placental weight in diabetic pregnancies
C Clarson1, G J Tevaarwerk, P G Harding
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Placenta
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Placental weight in diabetic pregnancies did not differ from controls, but correlated with infant birthweight. Well-controlled diabetes did not increase placental weight, except in specific White
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Endocrinology
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy presents risks to both mother and fetus.
- Placental adaptations are crucial for fetal development and can be affected by maternal health conditions.
- Understanding placental characteristics in diabetic pregnancies informs clinical management and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate placental weight and weight ratios in women with overt and gestational diabetes mellitus compared to normal pregnancies.
- To explore correlations between placental weight and infant anthropometric measurements, gestational age, and maternal glycemic control.
- To assess if placental weight differs based on the severity of maternal diabetes (White's classification).
Main Methods:
- Placental examination and weighing from 30 women with diabetes (19 overt, 11 gestational) and 11 controls.
- Calculation of placental weight ratios.
- Correlation analysis with birthweights, infant skinfold thickness, gestational age, and maternal glycosylated hemoglobin levels.
- Comparison of placental weights based on White's classification of diabetes severity.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in mean placental weight or weight ratios between the diabetic group and controls.
- No significant difference in placental weight or ratios between overt and gestational diabetes groups.
- Placental weight positively correlated with infant birthweight and skinfold thickness, but not gestational age or maternal HbA1c.
- Placentae from women with White's class B and C diabetes were heavier than those from class D and R, suggesting an impact of diabetes severity.
Conclusions:
- Overall placental weight is not significantly altered in diabetic pregnancies compared to normal pregnancies.
- Placental weight is a significant indicator of fetal growth, correlating with birthweight and infant adiposity.
- Diabetes severity, as defined by White's classification, may influence placental weight, with less severe forms potentially associated with heavier placentae.