Original scientific paper
HUMAN TERM PLACENTA IN RELATION TO THE AGE OF PREGNANT WOMAN
Suada Ramić
Đurđica Grbeša
Zlata Žigić
Abstract
Objective. To investigate the presence of morphologic changes that may cause disorders in pregnancy course and fetal growth and development in older pregnant women’s placentas. The aim of the study was histomorphologi¬cally and quantitatively analyze term placentas of older pregnant women and investigate possible differences in their structure as compared to younger women’s placentas. Material and methods. A total of 30 term placentas were histomorphologically¬ and quantitatively analyzed by stereologic methods. The placentas were divided in two groups depending on the pregnant women’s age: a) placentas of pregnant women aged 35–45 years (N=15), and b) placentas of pregnant women aged 20–35 years (control group, N=15). Placenta volume (Vp) and newborns’ birthweight (Tn) were determined. Volume density (Vv) and total volume (V) of placental villi, perivillous fibrinoid and intervillous space were calculated and compared in both examined groups. Results. Placentas of the older pregnant women had significantly lower volume proportion of placental villi (p<0.01), and the higher proportion of perivillous fibrinoid (p<0.05) in comparison to placentas in the younger group. Volume proportion of intervillous space, total volume of placentas, placental villi, perivillous fibrinoid and intervillous space and newborns’ birthweight did not differ significantly regardless of the pregnant women’s age (p>0.05). Conclusion. Results of quantitative analysis demonstrated that changes in the spatial arrangement of placental parenchyma¬ occurred¬ in one cm3 of older pregnant women and were related to a statistically significantly lower proportion of placental villi and significantly higher proportion of perivillous fibrinoid. Similar values established for younger and older pregnant women with regard to their total placenta volume, placental villi, perivillous fibrinoid, intervillous space and equal newborns’ birthweigh, supported the fact that structural compensatory mechanisms were equally activated in both younger and older women’s placentas. These mechanisms ensure sufficient maternofetal exchange; the older pregnant women’s placentas may equally meet the needs for normal growth and development of fetuses.
Keywords
human term placenta; age of pregnant woman; stereology
Hrčak ID:
15589
URI
Publication date:
1.9.2004.
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