Morphological changes of the placentae from anaemic pregnant women associated with intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract

Placentae from 50 pregnant women were collected from Albatool Obstetrics and Gynecology Teaching Hospital in Mosul-Iraq. Thirty of them belonged to anaemic pregnant women associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), while the other 20 belonged to uncomplicated pregnancy (as a control group). The parameters studied were mean gestational age, birth weight of babies, mean placental weight, diameter, surface area, and mean placental volume. The main findings in the placentae from anaemic women were compared to the control group. 
Results  reveal  that  there  is  a  significant  decrease  in  mean  birth  weight,  mean placental weight, diameter, surface area and mean volume of the placentae in anaemia of pregnancy group associated with IUGR as compared with control group. 
Alterations in various parameters may be due to compensatory phenomena to fulfill the demand of O2 to fetus, subsequently affecting the growing fetus. Appropriate precautions if taken during pregnancy, complications due to anaemia can be reduced.
In conclusion, this study demonstrated that severe anaemia in pregnant women alters the placental morphology, leading to fetal growth restriction and prompt treatment of anaemia must be taken to improve placental growth and a favorable obstetric outcome.