Low rate of placental pathological examination in a tertiary care hospital in Sana'a, Yemen

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of submission of placentas for pathological examination and compare the observed and expected numbers of placentas submitted. Records were reviewed for all deliveries occurring at a tertiary care hospital in Sana'a, Yemen, during 2007. Data from pathology department records were compared with data on pathology request forms. The observed and expected numbers of placentas examined were compared. Of 11 472 placentas delivered, 1501 were expected to be pathologically examined, based on College of American Pathologists indications. Only 73 of these [4.9%] had actually been examined. The examination rates for conditions associated with the possible recurrence risks in the subsequent pregnancies were low, below 20%. Only 42% of the pathology request forms gave detailed clinical histories and 0% gave information about Apgar scores. Placental pathological examination was under-utilized in this hospital

Randomized placental and cord blood sampling culture in women with preterm and term labour to detect infection

Placental tissue and cord blood from women with preterm and term labour were examined for microorganisms and compared in this randomized prospective study. Of 100 women who delivered during a 12-month period, 50 had preterm labour and 50 had term labour. Samples were taken under sterile conditions for routine culture of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria immediately after delivery of the placenta. Fetal blood cultures were positive for 30% of the preterm group and 18% of the term group, which was statistically significant. Placental tissue cultures were positive for 58% of the preterm group and 28% of the term group. These data support previous reports that infection plays a significant role in preterm labour