[Functional aspects of placental maturation in twin-pregnancies (author's transl)].

Multiple pregnancy placentas are especially efficient for examining the influence of placental maturity on fetal growth; extraplacental factors can be considered the same, and difference concerning the state of the child can be correlated with the conditions of the placental function. In 46 twin-couples placentas have been examined. In 21 cases placental parts varied in maturity. Children whose placentas had reached a better stage of maturity, were better in weight, length and Apgar score. Only in 3 cases with ripe placenta Apgar score was low (all cases were second-born children). In 25 twin-couples placentas of equal maturity were found, and the children showed insignificant differences. Differences concerning the Apgar score, could be caused by extraplacental etiological factors. 68 placental parts were correlated to the gestational age; a precocious placenta maturity was found in 31 cases, and a mature placenta in 26 cases. The importance of precocious placental maturity and its influence on the development and condition of the child post partum are being thoroughly discussed.