Histomorphometric study of umbilical cord in gestational hypertension & preeclampsia

Methods: 10 umbilical cords from normotensive patients & 10 each from gestational hypertension alone & preeclampsia were collected from lady wallingdon & lady aitchison hospitals lahore. the basis of selection and distribution of umbilical cords into groups was based on elevated diastolic blood pressure & proteinurea. the attachment,length,weight,diameter & color of cords was noted. on histological examination changes in its tunica intima & media were observed.aim: to determine the effects of gestational hypertension alone & preeclampsia on the morphology & histology of umbilical cord.results: there was change in the color & decrease in the length,weight of the cords with mounting blood pressure. disruption of endothelium & basement membrane were present in both pih groups. both study groups showed hypertrophy of the wall & of tunica media but fibrinoid necrosis of the wall & luminal thrombosis was present in the preeclamptic group only.conclusions: from the study it was concluded that increase in pregnancy induced hypertension adversely affected the umbilical cord & hence the fetus. © 2014 pakistan journal of medical and health sciences. all rights reserved.