Histomorphometry of the human placenta in pre-eclampsia associated with severe intrauterine growth retardation.

The morphological changes in the functional structure of the placenta in cases of pre-eclampsia associated with severe intrauterine growth retardation have been investigated with quantitative analyses. It has been demonstrated that in pregnancies complicated by severe pre-eclampsia, the placenta can suffer significant morphological alterations characterized by an abnormal maturation or arborization of the terminal villi. The findings of this study suggest that, among the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for the observed placental changes, uteroplacental ischaemia is probably a dominant factor, and that any ill effects on fetal growth and viability are very likely to be related not only to the inadequate maternal supply of oxygen and nutrients but also to placental ischaemic damage.