The effect of pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders on placental growth along short and long axes and neonatal outcomes

Aim: To assess the effect of pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders on the growth of the placenta on the short and long axes and neonatal outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of gross and histological characteristics of placentas and the fetal outcomes of normotensive and hypertensive pregnancies over a three-year period from January 2009 to December 2011 at a tertiary teaching hospital in ACT, Australia. Results: Placentas and neonatal outcomes from 100 pregnancies complicated with pregnancy-induced hypertension/preeclampsia were studied and compared with 51 gestational age-matched placentas and neonatal outcomes from normotensive pregnancies. The median maternal age and smoking history were similar in the two groups (P = 0.894; P = 1.00, respectively). The median pre-pregnancy weight was significantly higher (P < 0.001) and primiparity more common (P = 0.001) in the study group. The median weight of the placenta was significantly lower (P < 0.001) and below the 10th centile (P < 0.001) in the study group. Both the long and short axes of the placental disc were significantly smaller in the study group (P = 0.002; P ≤ 0.001 respectively). Accelerated villous maturation, placental infarcts and decidual vessel vasculopathy were more common in the study group (P < 0.001). The median birthweight and the number of infants with birthweight and length below the 10th centile were significantly higher in the study group (P = 0.008; P < 0.001; P = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that pregnancy-induced hypertension significantly influences the growth and development of both the placenta and fetus.