[Perinatal results in cases of EPH gestosis and "small placenta"]

The foetal outcome was examined in 24 pregnant females with EPH gestosis and a placental weight below the 20th percentile. The results show a high perinatal mortality in such cases. 11 newborns with a mean birth weight of 1092 g and a mean gestational age of 33.8 weeks died perinatally versus 13 newborns with a mean birth weight of 1705 g and a mean gestational age of 35.6 weeks, who survived. Perinatal mortality was equally high in cases with primary Caesarean section as in cases with spontaneous labour. Perinatological research should, therefore, focus on the development of techniques for estimating placental weight. Patients with a small placenta and EPH gestosis could then be monitored exactly and be delivered at the optimal moment.