Study of Placentae of Anaemic and Hypertensive Pregnant Women-Histomorphological Observation

Hypertension and anaemia are the most common findings among women during pregnancy. These two diseases alone forms a large group responsible for maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in India and abroad. In the present study, our objective was to observe gross and microscopic changes in the placentae of mothers who had anemia and hypertension during their antenatal period. The study was conducted in the hospital attached to the S.G.T. Medical college hospital and research institute, Gurugram, Haryana during 18 months from April 2015 to Sept.2016. The placentae after normal delivery were collected from three groups of pregnant women viz. Anemic full term mothers, Hypertensive full term mothers and normal full term mothers (as control group).In the hypertensive full term group 26 placentae were included while in anemic full term group 23 placentae were included. In Normotensive non anemic control group 27 placentae were included. All the placentae so received were examined grossly by naked eye and microscopically after adequate processing in the histopathology department. Gross examination showed significant decrease in the weight of the placentae in the study group as compared to the control group. Also the significant difference in the number of cotyledons in both the groups was observed. Histopathological examination also showed significant number of syncitial knots, areas of fibrinoid necrosis, hyalinization, calcification and increased basement membrane thickening in both the study groups as compared to normal control group. It is concluded that anemia and hypertension during antenatal period adversely influence the morphology of placenta, both grossly and microscopically. The findings in these placentae were mostly attributable to the chronic hypoxia and placental insufficiency due to anemia and resultant stress due to hypertension as a result of compromised utero-placental blood flow. This study will help Obstetricians and paediatricians in monitoring mothers in antenatal period so that proper management is offered to the mother and unwanted delivery related outcome is avoided.