A STUDY OF PLACENTAL WEIGHT AND FETAL OUTCOME IN DIFFERENT GRADES OF PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION

Introduction and Objectives: Placenta is a feto-maternal organ which is vital for maintaining pregnancy and promoting normal development of the fetus. The weight of the placenta is functionally significant because it is related to villous surface area and to fetal metabolism. Present study has done to record the placental weight and co-relate with the corresponding fetal weight. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 placentae were studied, out of which 50 placentae belong to pregnancy induced hypertension and 50 placentae were of normotensive pregnant mothers. The weight of placenta and weight of fetus were compared between normotensive (Control) and hypertensive mothers (Cases). Results: The mean weight of placenta in study group was low as compared to that in the control group. The birth weight of newborn was low with increasing grades of hypertension compared to control groups. The feto- placental weight ratio was higher in case of mild and severe preeclampsia. The incidence of stillbirth was 0.5%, 12.5% and 20% in mild pre-ecampsia, severe preeclampsia and eclampsia respectively. Conclusion: In present study, the birth weight was low with increasing grades of hypertension compared to control groups. The fetal: placental weight ratio was higher in case of mild and severe preeclampsia. The incidence of eclampsia was more common in primigravida where as mild preeclampsia was more common in multigravida. The mean weight of placenta in study group was low compared to control group. Thus study of placental changes in pregnancy induced hypertension may help us to understand patho-physiological mechanisms and design treatment plans for better maternal and foetal outcome. Modern sophisticated techniques like ultrasonography have made it possible to study the necessary placental parameters in utero. This helps in assessing the foetal outcome and management.