Placenta as an indicator of fetal postnatal prognosis.

468 placentas were studied microscopically and by gross examination. Velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord, placenta circumvallate, retroplacental hematoma in connection with ablation of the placenta, and cord prolapse were found to be causative factors in asphyxia of the newborn. The increased placental weight was characteristic in maternal diabetes, hepatosis and, sometimes, in cases of infant malformations and specific inflammations. So-called embryonal persistence was often found histologically in these changes. Small fibrous placentas and those with ramification defects were commonly encountered among cases of toxemia and prolonged gestation. Microscopical placental maturation defects were not indicative of the fetal condition. Thus, only the changes found at gross examination appeared to be a significant indicator of the fetal prognosis.