Correlation between the placental surface and the maturity of the newborn

Morphometrical method of determination of the surface of the vili of placenta is described. The average of the surface of placental vili in normal pregnancy appeared to be - 12,14 +/- 2,27 m2. This valued in toxaemia of pregnancy - 9,25 +/- 1,52 m2, and in cases of dismaturation 7,62 +/- 0,98 m2. It was established that the morphometrical method was sensitive and suitable for the study of the relationship between the surface of the placenta and intrauterine development of the foetus. This was evidenced by the fact that surface of the placenta of low weight newborns (10-25%) and that of the newborns with overweight (75%) had shown a significant difference. These findings are not in accordance with the data reported in the literature.