Pregnancy outcome and placental weights: their relationship to HIV-1 infection.
The relationship between placental characteristics, including weight and inflammation, and pregnancy outcome was examined as part of a case control study looking into the impact of maternal HIV-1 infection on pregnancy outcome. Cases defined as low birth weight (< 2500g) or stillbirth deliveries, were compared to controls defined as mothers who delivered a live born neonate weighing 2500g or more. The mean placental weight and the mean foetal/placental weight ratio were significantly lower in cases (n = 253) than in controls (n = 216) (p < .05). Placental inflammation (chorioamnionitis) was significantly associated with prematurity (p < .001) and with stillbirth (p < .05), maternal HIV-1 antibody being a risk factor for chorioamnionitis in the preterm group. These data support a correlation between placental weight and pregnancy outcome, and suggest that maternal HIV-1 infection is a risk factor for chorioamnionitis in HIV-1 seropositive preterm deliveries.
Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi.
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Gichangi
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Nyongo
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Temmerman
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors