Placental parameters and fetal outcome

The examination of the placenta may discover the hidden complications of the pregnancy which may give insight into the pathogenesis of neurologic and other developmental disorders. Histologic examinations prove unequivocal associations between placental findings and preterm delivery, stillbirth, neonatal death and hypoxic problems. Few epidemiologic studies have related placental abnormalities to gestational age or adverse outcome of the newborn. In the present review we point the most common placental findings related to clinical data and fetal outcome with implications of placental careful examination.