Gross Morphological Study of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Placenta from South Indian Mothers Compared with Control Placenta

Address for Correspondence: Ms. P. Sharmila Bhanu, Department of Anatomy, Narayana Medical College, Chinthareddy Palem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh 524002, India. Mobile: +91-9441705457 Fax: +91-861-2317962 E-Mail: [email protected] Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an ever increasing threat in Indian women, is found up to 10% of the total pregnancies and is mainly due to diet, obesity and sedentary life style. Placenta, considered being the vital organ of intrauterine life, form the representation of whole pregnancy. The present study has undertaken to observe the morphological changes of the GDM and control placenta. Material and Methods: Total number of 96 placentas, out of which 48 are GDM and 48 from control were procured for the present study along with mother’s age, gestational age and baby’s weight. All samples were studied morphologically. Result: The morphological aspects of GDM were found be more significant when compared to normal. In GDM placentas, mean placental weight was 537.27±131.97 with a range of 330 to 890g, mean placental volume was 482.61±142.17 ml3 in GDM with a range of 144.12-700 ml3, and mean placental diameter was 168.2±13.23mm with a range of 147186 mm. Thickness in GDM was 23.69±5.08mm. The average number of placental cotyledons was 19.38±3.4 in GDM, which was significantly higher, revealed its excessiveness. In GDM feto-placental ratio calculated from dividing baby birth weight by placental weight was 5.96±1.06. Conclusion: Significant placental morphological changes of GDM observed in the present study may be considered as a clinical importance. The impact of these changes may reflect on the perinatal outcome of the pregnancy, resulting in macrosomia, congenital malformations and intrauterine growth retardation.