Evaluation of Morphological (Macroscopic and Microscopic) Parameters of Placentas in Pregnancies Complicated by Preeclampsia, Diabetes and Preeclampsia and Diabetes

Abstract

This study was done to compare the morphometric parameters of placentas in well controlled patients with
preeclampsia, diabetes, and preeclampsia-diabetes with that of normal uncomplicated placentas.
Patients &Methods: A total of Twenty four placentas were freshly collected. Six placentas for control
group and eighteen placentas for complicated group (preeclamptic- diabetic and preeclamptic--diabetic
subgroups). The placentas were grossly examined (shape, number of cotyledons, weight, and thickness).
After suitable fixation, tissue processing and sectioning, the sections were stained by hematoxylin and eosin
to study the general morphology and morphometry of the following parameters: number of terminal villi,
number of syncytial knots, number of apoptotic cells and number of fetal capillaries.
Result: The weight of the baby in D- subgroup was significantly increased when compared with control
group and with P and P-D subgroups . Microscopical morphometry regarding number of terminal villi,
apoptotic cells, syncytial knots and fetal capillaries were increased in complicated subgroups. The thickness
of basement membrane was 0.8µm in control group and it was increased in all complicated subgroups. The
highest value was reported by D- subgroup (2 µm).