[Smoking and gestosis: comparative results of clinical and histomorphometric studies]

Altogether 85 term placentae (20 from gestosis patients, 44 from patients who smoke and 21 normal term placentae) were examined macroscopically, microscopically and autoradiographically. The results and clinical data were analysed: strong smokers were compared with severe gestosis patients. A direct relation between reduced birthweight and placental insufficiency in gestosis patients and smokers could be established. In gestosis patients we found a "negative"--hypotrophic structural change of the placenta as a result of haemodynamic disturbance. In patients who smoke we found a "positive"--hypertrophic structural change of the placenta as an adaptation and compensation to the hypoxic stimulus of nicotine.