The human placenta in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with profound abnormalities in the hormonal and metabolic milieu and the maternal and fetal blood supply. These changes are likely to initiate structural and biochemical alterations in placental tissue, which may in turn be related to disturbances in placental function and metabolic performances. This review presents an update of information on the structural, biochemical and immunological characteristics of placental tissue and their correlation with placental function.