Placental ratio in pregnancies at different risk for intrauterine growth.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We have analyzed the placental/birthweight ratio in women at increased risk of intrauterine growth retardation and pregnancy-induced hypertension and in women with pregnancy 'complicated' by these conditions. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 89 women with small gestational age (SGA) infants, 355 with appropriate gestational age infants (200 in the uncomplicated pregnancy group) and 28 with large for gestational age (LGA) infants were considered. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mean placental weight showed a significant increase from the SGA to the LGA in the two groups. The placental ratio tended to increase from the LGA group to the SGA one both in infants of women with uncomplicated pregnancy and with pregnancy complicated by intrauterine growth retardation or pregnancy-induced hypertension; these findings were statistically significant.