effect of iron deficiency anemia on placental weight and ratio

Placental weight and placental ratio [placental weight/birth weight] were determined in 500 women delivered in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Tanta University Hospital. Half of them with normal hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume and 250 women with iron deficiency anemia [Hb <11 g/dl and MCV <80 fl]. It was observed that placental weight and ratio increased significantly in anemic group. The importance of this discordance of placental weight and birth weight was discussed