[Quantitative investigations of the human placenta under normal conditions and in case of preeclampsia correlated to the human placenta-lactogen blood-level in the last third of pregnancy (author's transl)]

Placental morphometry using a computer assisted measuring programme: reference values for normal pregnancies at term

Using the principle that the human placenta is anatomically composed of fetomaternal flow units, we developed a computer-assisted measurement programme capable of recording complex histometric data about the characteristics of the maturation and structural differentiation of resorption villi, as well as subjecting the results to simultaneous statistical processing. Using 42 placentas obtained after normal pregnancies, reference values were derived for the five primary geometrical and six further arithmetical parameters. From these findings, we also calculated the total resorption villi surface area, the proportion of this surface area occupied by epithelial plates, and the resorption-villi surface are relative to the birth weight of the child. Our findings are compared with other available results, and the reasons for discrepancies between previously published measurements are discussed.

Quantitative structural studies on human placentas associated with pre-eclampsia, essential hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation

Placentas from pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia, essential hypertension, hypertension complicated by pre-eclampsia and from normotensive pregnancies resulting in the birth of a singleton small-for-dates (SFD) infant have been studied by quantitative morphometry. The findings have been compared with those from placentas of uncomplicated pregnancies. The placentas from pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and those resulting in a SFD baby had a significantly lower total volume, volume of parenchyma and villous surface area when compared with normal pregnancies of comparable gestation. They also had an increase in areas of multiple infarction and in the volume proportions occupied by fetal capillaries. The placentas from women with essential hypertension uncomplicated by pre-eclampsia were as large as those from normal pregnancies and the villous surface areas were as high. Villous surface area measurements in the different groups were related to gestation and to fetal weight.