Anatomical Assessment Of The Morphological Changes Of Placentas Following Parturition In South- South, Nigeria

The usefulness of the placenta in the developing fetus cannot be overemphasized due to its elaborate functions. The placenta is formed by the cooperative effort between the extra embryonic tissue of the embryo and the endometrial tissue of the mother thus representing a symbiosis between the two without any rejection. This study is aimed at assessing the morphological changes of 150 placentas following parturition in five hospitals and different tribes in South-South, Nigeria. Questionnaires were distributed within the delivery suites in the five major hospitals, (University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, General Hospital Calabar, Kendox Hospital Rivers State, Obio Hospital Rivers State and Alphonso Hospital Rivers State.) where the mother’s age, parity and maternal medical conditions were recorded (Tribe Andoni: Maternal age 18-25, Parity 1-5, Placenta Weight 0.7kg, Medical condition Nil). (Tribe Ibibio: Maternal age 20-31, Parity 1-6, Placenta Weight 0.7kg, Medical Nil). (Tribe Annang: Maternal age 19-30, Parity 1-4, Placenta Weight 0.7kg, Medical condition Nil). (Tribe Oron: Maternal age 20-30, Parity 1-8, Placenta Weight 0.7kg, Medical condition Nil). (Tribe Eket: Maternal age 19-42, Parity 1-8, Placenta Weight 0.5kg, Medical condition diabetes mellitus). (Tribe Ogoni: Maternal age 19-35, Parity 1-5, Placenta Weight 0.6kg, Medical condition Nil). (Tribe Ikwere: Maternal age 19-28, Parity 1-6, Placenta Weight 0.7kg, Medical condition Nil). (Tribe Efik: Maternal age 19-45, Parity 1-7, Placenta Weight 0.5k, Medical condition Hypertension). Placental weight was measured using the basinet weighing scale after excising the umbilicus and squeezing out blood. All these were guided by the midwife on duty. The result showed that placenta weight varied significantly (P < 0.05) among different tribes. Eket and Oron had the highest mean parity of 9.00± 0.001 with Annang had the least mean parity of 0.60 ±0.03. Maternal age correlated significantly with placenta weight with a positive but weak relationship (P <0.05) at r=0.214. The parity was also significantly related to placenta weight (P <0.05) at r=0.277 where a weak but positive relationship was observed.