Placenta and Umbilical Cord Abnormalities in Stillbirth

This is a review of the critical role of placental and umbilical cord abnormalities in stillbirth, emphasizing their strong association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We discuss key lesions-maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion, infectious, inflammatory, genetic, and multiple gestation-related abnormalities-detailing their biology, clinical presentation, and pathologic characteristics. We further highlight the importance of thorough placental examination for determining the cause of stillbirth and guiding future pregnancy management. Standardized criteria, such as the Amsterdam guidelines, are outlined to ensure objective assessment. We suggest strengthened collaboration between clinicians and pathologists to improve the understanding, diagnosis, and prevention of stillbirth.