The value of ultrasonic placental grading: no correlation with intrauterine growth retardation or with maternal smoking
Vosmar, M.B.; Jongsma, H.W.; van Dongen, P.W.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine 17(2): 137-143
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5577 PMID: 2681667 DOI: 10.1515/jpme.1989.17.2.137Document Number: 369676
In a prospective study, the usefulness of placental grading in detecting IUGR has been evaluated. Those who were echoscopically examined within 1 week before delivery were added to the study (n=137). Changes in placental tissue increased clearly as pregnancy progressed and in 42%, (57/137), the placentae reached grade III. Increasing placental grading is associated with normal maturation of the placenta. Postpartum examination of the placenta correlated well with the echoscopic picture (accuracy=80.5%). No relationship was found in an unselected group between grade III and IUGR at term. When a grade III placenta was 1st seen prior to 36 weeks, a growth-retarded infant was born in 3 of 5 cases. The effects of the maternal smoking during pregnancy on birthweight and placenta were examined. There were no significant differences in mean placental weight, placental ratio, and placental grading, as the number of cigarettes increased. The mean birthweight and birthweight percentile decreased significantly when the mother smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day. (author's modified)