Pathological Findings in the Placenta and Umbilical Cord in Late Fetal Deaths (Stillbirths) at the Korlebu Teaching Hospital.

Abstract

The fetus depends on the placenta and umbilical cord for survival and growth, For this reason, placental pathology may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. This study was done to find pathological lesions in placentae and umbilical cords of late few deaths (stillbirths) at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. There was weak positive correlation between gestational age and placental weight. In three cases the placenta weighed less than 40% of the expected for the gestational age (placental growth retardation). The heaviest placenta was in a stillborn fetus delivered by a diabetic mother. Multiple pathological lesions were present in 66% of placentae, Villous edema alone or in combination with other pathological lesions was the commonest (41%) pathological lesion, Maternal floor infarction, large placental infarcts, chorioamnionitis some with funisitis, increased intervillous fibrin deposition and destructive villitis were present and could have contributed to the stillbirth. It was concluded that placental and umbilical cord examination are important in investigating late fetal deaths and should form an integral part of the perinatal services in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.