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Updated: Jan 8, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Morphological Macroscopical Placental Features of Pregnancies Complicated with Fetal Growth Restriction: a
Athina A Samara1,2, Theodoros Floros3, Konstantina Zacharouli4
1Department of Embryology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the morphological differences of the placentas, between normal and complicated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) gestations.
Methods:
In the present study, 60 women were prospectively enrolled between 2022-2024 and equally divided into a control group and a FGR one. We measured the weight and dimensions of the collected placentas as well as the diameter and insertion point of the umbilical cord.
Results:
The mean values of placental weight, surface, volume and maximum diameter showed a statistically significant difference between FGR and controls (p<0.001). Birth weight was positively corelated with umbilical cord diameter (r= 0.666, p<0.001) and placental weight (r= 0.803, p<0.001). Also, umbilical cord's peripheral insertion site and FGR were statistically significantly associated (χ2=7.048, p<0.001). However, in linear regression, only placental weight was identified as an independent factor associated with birth weight. Moreover, FGR pregnancies had statistically significant higher mean placental coefficient values compared to pregnancies with normal growth (p=0.035).
Conclusion:
Our results further support the current literature, demonstrating significant placental morphological differences between normal and FGR pregnancies. Considering the severe complications in FGR gestations, translating these findings in ultrasound imaging may introduce novice imaging biomarkers for early detection.
