Comparative Study of Morphological Findings of Placenta of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy with Placenta of Uncomplicated Pregnancy

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a commonly occurring complication during pregnancy. Placenta is responsible for maintenance of pregnancy and fetal growth. In the present study comparison between morphological changes in placenta of mothers who suffered from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with the placenta of mothers who had uncomplicated pregnancy was done. Methodology: Institution based observational, proposed cross sectional study was done at ICARE institute of medical research between February 2021 to August 2022. Study population was mothers who visited the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of IIMSAR & Dr B C Roy Hospital, Haldia. The sample size was 60 among them 30 suffering from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and 30 were not. Study variables were weight of placenta; feto placental weight ratio; macroscopic and microscopic features; macroscopic and microscopic features of placenta in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Results: The mean weight of the placenta in hypertensive group was significantly lower (439.33±54.93) as compared to normotensive patients (473.93±68.30) and this difference in mean was statistically significant (P value=0.035). Likewise, placental volume in hypertensive group (405.63±46.22) was significantly lower in comparison to normotensive (446.43±57.81) patients (P value= 0.004). Significant lower value for placental area, thickness, diameter, and circumference in hypertensive group compared to normotensive group was found. Conclusion: Gross examination of placenta in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) revealed decrease in mean placental weight, diameter, thickness, numbers of cotyledons and cord length and increased incidence of oval and irregular placentae, marginal insertion of cord, infarction and calcification. On microscopic examination of placenta in pregnancy induced hypertension excessive syncytial knots, increased villous stromal fibrosis, fibrinoid necrosis and basement membrane thickening of the villi were noted.