Placental lakes on sonographic examination: correlation with obstetric outcome and pathologic findings.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare pregnancy outcome and pathologic findings in cases of placental lake visualized on sonography in pregnancies without concurrent fetal or maternal disease.


METHODS
Placental aspect was evaluated sonographically in 4,106 singleton pregnancies without maternal or fetal disease at between 15 and 34 weeks3 gestation. Fifty-nine cases presenting with placental lakes were followed through the end of pregnancy. Obstetric outcome was compared with that of cases with sonographically normal placental aspects (n=37). Macroscopic and microscopic examinations for pathology were also performed in a few cases in both groups.


RESULTS
Placental lakes were present in 2.2% (92/4,106) of the cases. No statistically significant difference was observed in birth weight, gestational age at delivery, adverse obstetric outcome, and macroscopic or microscopic results between the control and study groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings do not seem to indicate an increase in the risk for an adverse pregnancy outcome in cases presenting with placental lakes.
Reis
Nádia S V
NS
Department of Obstetrics, Hospital das Clinicas, São Paulo University Medical School, Instituto Central 10 Andar, Rua Dr Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Brizot
Maria L
ML
Schultz
Regina
R
Nomura
Roseli M Y
RM
Zugaib
Marcelo
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal