Prevalence of Placental Pathology in Low Birthweight Infants
Pilaiwan Kleebkaow MD*, Wittaya Limdumrongchit MD*, Thawalwong Ratanasiri MD*, Ratana Komwilaisak MD*, Kanok Seejorn MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen
Objective : To determine the prevalence of placental pathology among low birthweight infants delivered at
Srinagarind Hospital.
Materials and Methods : Descriptive study of 114 placentas from infants weighing between 500 and 2,499 grams
delivered between June 2002 and June 2004 in the labour room, Srinagarind Hospital. Placentas from low
birthweight infants were examined by a perinatal pathologist in the surgical pathology room, department of
pathology, faculty of medicine, Khon Kaen University. The demographic data of the mothers, the gestational
age of the infants by obstetric information and according to the Ballard score and placental examinations
were collected and analyzed. The placental examinations included both macroscopic and microscopic studies.
Results : The prevalence of placental pathology in low birthweight infants was 80.7%. The four types of
placental pathology were an increased placental to fetal weight ratio, infarction, vascular abnormalities of
the decidua, and inflammation in 64.1, 30.4, 20.6 and 18.5 percent, respectively.
Conclusion : All placentas of low birthweight infants should be studied for potential pathologies.
Keywords : Low birthweight infant, Placental pathology
