Number of Hofbauer Cells in Placentae from Normal and Pre Eclamptic Gestation

Background:. To compare the number ofHofbauer cell in placenta from normal pregnancywith placenta complicated by pre eclampsiaMethods: For this comparative study, fiftyplacentae were taken from normotensive mothers(Normotensive group) and fifty placentae were takenfrom mothers with hypertension (Hypertensivegroup). Placentae were fixed in formalin for 48hours. Placentae were divided into four parts, afterfixation and 5mm tissue was taken from the center ofrandomly selected two parts. After tissue processingand staining, number of Hofbauer cells wascounted in both groups.Results: The number of Hofbauer cells wasincreased in hypertensive group. The quantitativedifference between number of Hofbauer cells innormotensive and hypertensive groups werestatistically significant.Conclusion: Number of Hofbauer cells wasincreased in hypertensive group and it may be theresult of placental hypoxia which is a commonfinding in pre eclampsia