Histomorphometric Assessment Of Wharton’s Jelly Area In Normal And Pre-eclamptic Pregnancies And Its Correlation With Placental Weight

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Fetal capability to grow in utero depends on placental development and function. The goal of thisstudy was to appraise the effects of hypertension on placental weight and Wharton’s jelly area (WJA); andcorrelate them in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.Material and Methods: Eighty placentae along with umbilical cord divided into forty each of normotensive andpre-eclamptic pregnancies were studied. The cross-sectional area of the umbilical cord and vessels area wasmeasured with the help of vernier scale and ocular micrometer respectively. WJA was calculated by deduction ofthe vascular area from the umbilical cord area. Placental weight was recorded by using a weighing machine andcorrelated with the WJA.Results: In the present study, mean placental weight was 445.45 ± 40.31 grams and WJA was 35.28 ± 8.42 mm2 inthe normal group. Whereas, in the pre-eclamptic group, mean placental weight was 408.95 ± 47.15 grams andWJA was 29.04 ± 8.09 mm2. Mean placental weight and WJA was significantly lower in the pre-eclamptic group.A significant positive correlation was found between WJA and placental weight (r = 0.710, p<0.0001) in normalgroup and (r = 0.764, p<0.0001) in pre-eclamptic group.Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia is associated with reducing placental weight and WJA. Low WJA may hamper the fetalgrowth. The current study shows a strong positive correlation between WJA and placental weight. So, the awarenessof this correlation will be helpful in the early observation of placental insufficiencies and provide sufficientinformation to take additional care in such conditions.