Histomorphometric analysis of Wharton\'s jelly size in pregnancies with normal and pre-eclamptic conditions, and its relation to baby weight

Multiple factors affect fetal birth weight (FBW) and fetal well-being. This study aims to evaluate how hypertension affects FBW and the area of Wharton's jelly (WJ). It also seeks to explore the protective properties of WJ by analyzing its relationship with FBW in normal and pre-eclamptic (PreE) pregnancies. Eighty umbilical cords (UCs) were analyzed, with forty from normotensive pregnancies and forty from PreE pregnancies. The cross-sectional area of the UC and vessels was measured using a vernier scale and ocular micrometer. The WJ area was calculated by subtracting the vascular area from the UC area, and then compared with FBW. In this study, the normal group had an average FBW of 2547.25 ± 240.79 grams and WJ area of 35.28 ± 8.42 mm, while the PreE group had an average FBW of 2424.75 ± 234.36 grams and WJ area of 29.04 ± 8.09 mm. Both FBW and WJ area were significantly lower in the PreE group. There was a strong positive correlation between WJ area and FBW in both the normal group (r = 0.895, p<0.0001) and the PreE group (r = 0.850, p<0.0001). The findings indicated that both FBW and WJ area were notably lower in the PreE group compared to the normal group. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation between WJ area and FBW was observed in both groups. These results emphasize the importance of WJ in fetal growth and highlight the significance of its quantity in determining birth weight.