title: Pathologic features of placentas from singleton pregnancies obtained by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
abstract: Fifty placentas were collected at term from singleton pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine embryo transfer. Their pathologic features were compared with those of a control group composed of 50 placentas obtained from spontaneous singleton pregnancies. The mean maternal age, mean gestational age, mean fetal weight, sex ratio, and rate of pregnancy complications did not differ. There was also no significant difference between the groups in the mean placental weight and in the incidence of placental pathologic lesions, including extended infarcts, massive perivillous fibrin depositions, chorioangiomas, and placental inflammatory lesions. The incidence of abnormal placental shapes was significantly (P less than .05) greater in the IVF group (22%) compared with the control group (6%). A significant (P less than .025) difference was observed between the groups in the distribution of umbilical cord insertions. The mean distance between the cord insertion and the closest placental margin was significantly (P less than .005) shorter in the group conceived by IVF (3.23 +/- 1.91 cm) than in the control group (4.54 +/- 2.42 cm). A relationship between these placental morphologic features and the superficial implantation and/or inadequate orientation of the blastocyst after IVF and intrauterine embryo transfer is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Hospital Erasme, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jauniaux
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Englert
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanesse
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiden
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wilkin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005337:Fibrin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005337:Fibrin