title: Histologic and morphometric study of human placenta in gestational diabetes mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to study morphometry, site of umbilical cord insertion and histological changes in placentae of women with gestational diabetes mellitus and compare the results with those of normal pregnancies and observe the perinatal outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was an observational, correlational study of 130 placenta specimens collected from labour room and operation theatre of Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata. The subjects were mothers who attended antenatal clinic of the hospital regularly and delivered their babies in the same hospital. Cases were selected randomly, and divided in two groups: group A consisted of mothers having normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, group B consisted of mothers whose pregnancies were complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus. Morphometry, site of umbilical cord insertion and histological changes in placentae of all women were recorded. Perinatal outcome of the cases were also registered. The statistical methods used were chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was observed that the placentae of diabetic mothers were significantly bigger in size, weight, volume, area, thickness, diameter and circumference than those of normal mothers. Also, in diabetic mothers, there was significant increase in villous oedema, fibrin deposition, calcification and congestion of blood vessels. These placental changes were significantly correlated with birth weights of babies. Out of 70 mothers in Group B, 65 had live births, 5 had stillborn babies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placentae of women with GDM showed several changes that may be associated with impaired functioning, leading to bad perinatal outcome.
authors.forename: Soma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Sharmistha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: Deepraj
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mitra
authors.forename: Anjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adhikari
authors.forename: Chandranil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saha
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000473:pathology*