Gross and histological alteration in the placenta of mothers suffering from gestational diabetes

Objective: this descriptive study aimed to observe the anatomical including both and microscopic changes in diabetic placenta to increase our knowledge as very few studies are done on anatomy of placenta. introduction: the placenta is a dynamic organ of unique function with short life-span. it is physiological site of exchange between maternal-fetal circulation. it is responsible for respiratory,nutritional,excretory,endocrine,and immunological functions. materials and methods: macroscopic and microscopic examination was carried out on total of 50 freshly delivered placentae from diabetic’s mothers. variables used for macroscopic examination are weight,diameter,number of cotyledons. on histology degenerative changes,fibrinoid necrosis,vessel thrombosis and infarction were examined. results: morphological examination of placentae of diabetic mothers showed larger,heavier and more cotyledons. similarly microscopic examination revealed dilated blood vessels,necrotic and degenerative foci,thrombosis and infarction in placentae of diabetic mothers. conclusion: an adequate knowledge of the placental changes can prove to be valuable in the understanding the complications to fetus caused by diabetes. this study shows significant changes in placentae on gross as well as on microscopy. out of many abnormal changes infarction is single most important change. infarction lead to fibrin deposition in villi and leading to avascularity hence uteroplacental insufficiency which is important factor for fetal development. © 2015,liaquat university of medical and health sciences. all rights reserved.