Abstract:
The normal growth and development of the fetus
depends on the proper growth and functioning of
the placenta. The macroscopic morphology of the
placenta is highly affected by pre-eclampsia. This
study was carried out to assess macroscopic morphological variation of the human placenta among
normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant mothers
in Northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was
conducted on 200 term placentas. One hundred
fifty placentas from normotensive mothers and 50
placentas from pre-eclamptic mothers were included in the study. Placental parameters such as
shape, weight, diameter, thickness and number of
cotyledons were examined. Fetal weight was also
detected. The data were analyzed by using independent two-sample t-test and chi-square test.
According to this study, the majority (68%) of placentas in normotensive participants were discoidshaped and 18% oval. While 54% of placenta in
pre-eclamptic mothers were oval-shaped and 24%
were irregular. Mean placental weight, diameter
and number of cotyledon in pregnant mothers with
pre-eclampsia were significantly reduced as compared to normotensive mothers. The mean birth
weight in pre-eclamptic pregnancies was significantly (p = 0.0001) lower than the mean birth
weight in normotensive pregnancies. As a conclusion, mean fetal weight, placental weight, diame
