Placental morphology at different maternal hemoglobin levels: a histopathological study

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the histopathological parameters of the placenta like weight, infarct and syncytial knots, at different maternal hemoglobin levels, in both qualitative and quantitative manner. Descriptive study. Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology in collaboration with Department of Obstehics and Gynecology, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from December 2011 to November 2012. A total of 75 placentas were included, that were collected from full term mothers at the time of childbirth. Placental weight was taken without umbilical cord and gross placental infarcts were noted. Samples of placental tissue were taken and stained by haematoxylin and eosin [H and E]. Microscopic study was done to evaluate placental infarcts and syncytial knots. Mean placental weight at normal and low maternal hemoglobin was 581.67 +/- 83.97 g and 482.58 +/- 104.74 g respectively. Gross placental infarcts were found in all cases having low maternal hemoglobin concentration [60% cases]. Syncytial knots were found in all placentas but they were considerably more at decreasing levels of maternal hemoglobin [19.79 +/- 5.22]. The present study showed decrease in placental weight, increase in placental infarcts and syncytial knot hyperplasia at low maternal hemoglobin concentration, displaying adaptive alterations