[Morphologic findings in the placenta in intrauterine fetal growth retardation]

The placentas of 105 small-for-dates infants and 190 newborns of normal birth weight were investigated morphologically. Each of these two groups consists of premature newborns and mature newborns. Macroscopic and microscopic data were evaluated by means of a so called data bank. --The weight and the area of attachment were determined. The histologic findings were classified in two groups: 1. Disturbances of placental maturation, 2. Morphologic changes in consequence of reduced uteroplacental blood flow. A marked increase of hypoplastic placentas was found among immature and mature small-for-dates infants. Retarded placental maturity was found more frequently among mature small-for-dates infants then among prematures. Among these, placentas with signs of a reduced uteroplacental perfusion were found more frequently. --It is assumed that the pathogenetic course is different in placentas of premature and mature small-for-dates infants.