title: Placenta/birthweight ratio and perinatal outcome: a retrospective cohort analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The placenta weight/birthweight (PW/BW) ratio has been shown to be associated with certain long-term fetal outcomes; however, its association with short-term outcomes has not received much attention. Our aim was to assess the correlation between the PW/BW ratio and short-term adverse obstetrics outcomes in full-term, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) newborns.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study analysis using data from the McGill Obstetrical and Neonatal Database.
  
  
  METHODS
  McGill University Health Centre in Montreal Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  AGA neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three groups of full-term AGA neonates were created, according to their PW/BW ratio (high, normal and low), to be compared. Our primary outcome was the admission rate to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and secondary outcomes included an Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes, cord PH < 7.0, cord base excess (BE) ≤ 12, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), occurrence of apnoea episodes, breech presentation at delivery, caesarean section rate and status in discharge home. A logistic regression model was instituted to investigate the predictors for adverse obstetrics outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Admission to the NICU.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the group with normal PW/BW ratios, the high PW/BW ratio group was associated with increased rates of admission to the NICU, of Apgar scores < 7 at 5 minutes, of breech presentation and caesarean section. On the contrary, the low PW/BW ratio group showed decreased rates of NICU admission, breech presentation and caesarean section.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high PW/BW ratio is significantly correlated with short-term adverse perinatal outcomes. This ratio may be used as a new and simple warning sign to predict the possibility of short-term health risks for newborns.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. fady.shehata@mail.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shehata
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shrim
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ata
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weisz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gamzu
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Almog
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D001946:Breech Presentation; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D054238:Perinatal Mortality; D010920:Placenta / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D047929:Term Birth / Q000502:physiology