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Placental structural abnormalities in gestational diabetes and when they develop: A scoping review
Erin Ehlers1, Omonseigho O Talton2, Danny J Schust1
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
Placenta
|May 7, 2021
Summary
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) causes placental abnormalities like increased size and vascular lesions. These placental changes may arise early in pregnancy, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pathology
Background:
- Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy complication with increasing prevalence.
- Fetal growth abnormalities in GDM pregnancies suggest underlying placental dysfunction.
- Understanding placental changes in GDM is crucial for fetal well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review known placental abnormalities in GDM pregnancies.
- To determine the gestational timing of these placental abnormalities.
- To assess the influence of factors like maternal obesity on GDM-related placental changes.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review of PubMed and Scopus databases.
- Keywords: gestational diabetes, placenta, ultrasound, histology, pathology.
- Analysis of studies on placental morphology, histoarchitecture, and early development.
Main Results:
- GDM placentas show increased size, villous immaturity, and vascular lesions compared to normal pregnancies.
- Few studies investigated placental development in early gestation (first and second trimesters).
- Maternal BMI may influence placental abnormalities in GDM, though research is limited.
Conclusions:
- Placental abnormalities are consistently reported in GDM pregnancies.
- Early gestational development of the GDM placenta requires further investigation.
- Understanding the timing and causes of placental disruption is essential for GDM management.
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