European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Aims: To study the morphological changes in the placenta in Hypertensive disorders of  pregnancy. To correlate the pathological changes in placenta with severity of disease  and fetal outcome.  Materials and methods:  The placentae for the study were obtained from the in  patients of Obstetrics and Gynaecology department from Government Maternity Hospital, Hanamkonda.53 placentae of clinically diagnosed cases of Preeclampsia and Eclampsia were included in study. Results: Out of 53 placenta 40 placentae were from Preeclampsia mothers and 13 placentae were from mothers with Eclampsia. The morphometric parameters viz. placental weight, placental diameter, placental thickness umbilical cord length were reduced in placentae of the mothers with Preeclampsia and Eclampsia . The mean birth weight and APGAR score of the babies born to mothers with Preeclampsia and Eclampsia  was significantly reduced.  Increased incidence of eccentric cord insertion, round placentae, calcification and infarction was noted in placentae of study group.  Significant microscopic changes were observed in placentae of study group viz. increased syncytial knots, fibrinoid necrosis and villous stromal fibrosis (p<0.001).  Conclusions: Early detection and early management, thus ensuring better outcomes for both mother and child.Our study of the histopathology involved in the placenta due to Hypertensive disorders can be beneficial.