title: The placenta as a research biospecimen.
abstract: The placenta provides a unique opportunity to study the prenatal environment of the fetus to better understand subsequent infant and child health and illness. In this article we describe the role of the placenta as a research biospecimen, including placental morphology and cytokine biomarkers. Because of the role of the placenta in contemporary research, members of the perinatal health care team involved in birth have an important role in advancing science.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. jg345@drexel.edu
authors.forename: Jane G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Reneé Krysko
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Joan Rosen
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bloch
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D035843:Biomedical Research; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011786:Quality Control; D012107:Research Design; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines