Feto-placental Changes in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Aims: To study if there is any difference in the foetus and placenta of pregnant women who are normotensive and those of of hypertensive patients of different severity.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of pathology, Saveetha institute of medical and technical sciences, between June 2017- June 2018.

Methodology: Pregnant women with hypertension attending obstetrics and gynecology department, Saveetha Medical College, Chennai was studied during the study period.

The study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines approved by the institutional review board of our Institution. The study population was divided into two groups namely normotensive and hypertensive patients. The hypertensive groups patients were further divided into two groups of mild (BP ≥140/90 mm Hg with proteinuria) and severe (BP ≥ 160/100 mm Hg with proteinuria). The placental specimens after expulsion were collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution. Informed consent was obtained in all patients and clinical data were obtained from the case notes. In the histopathology laboratory biopsy was taken from the insertion point of umbilical cord for light microscopy.

P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Data was entered in MS excel sheet and analysed using SPSS software version.

Results: The placental weight, birth weight of baby and APGAR score was decreased in PIH patients than normal pregnant women.

Conclusion: The diagnosis and treatment of PIH is very important to prevent complications in mother and baby.