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Placenta and Umbilical Cord Abnormalities in Stillbirth
Tess E K Cersonsky1, Halit Pinar2
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1176 5th Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Clinics in Perinatology
|February 18, 2026
Summary
Placental and umbilical cord abnormalities are critical causes of stillbirth, impacting pregnancy outcomes. Thorough placental examination and collaboration are key for diagnosis and prevention.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Pathology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Stillbirth remains a significant adverse pregnancy outcome.
- Placental and umbilical cord abnormalities are frequently implicated but require detailed characterization.
- Understanding these lesions is crucial for improving perinatal survival rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical role of placental and umbilical cord abnormalities in stillbirth.
- To detail the biology, clinical presentation, and pathologic characteristics of key placental lesions.
- To emphasize the importance of placental examination in determining stillbirth etiology and guiding management.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on placental pathology and stillbirth.
- Discussion of major categories of placental lesions: maternal/fetal vascular malperfusion, infectious, inflammatory, genetic, and multiple gestation-related.
- Highlighting standardized assessment criteria, such as the Amsterdam guidelines.
Main Results:
- Placental and umbilical cord abnormalities are strongly associated with stillbirth and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Key lesions include maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion, infections, inflammation, genetic factors, and issues related to multiple gestations.
- Thorough placental examination is vital for accurate diagnosis and future pregnancy management.
Conclusions:
- Standardized placental examination, using criteria like the Amsterdam guidelines, ensures objective assessment.
- Improved collaboration between clinicians and pathologists can enhance the understanding, diagnosis, and prevention of stillbirth.
- Identifying placental abnormalities is essential for determining stillbirth cause and informing subsequent obstetric care.
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