Fibrinoid necrosis and hyalinization observed in normal, diabetic and hypertensive placentae.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the fibrinoid necrosis and hyalinization extent in placenta observed in normal, diabetic and hypertensive pregnancies.

STUDY DESIGN

Comparative cross-sectional study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from 2008-2010.

METHODOLOGY

One hundred and fifty placentae were divided in three groups on the basis of their histories and clinical examination. Group A (control), Group B (Diabetic) and Group C (Hypertensive), each consisted of 50 samples. The samples were transferred to Dow Diagnostic Reference and Research Laboratory for histopathology and gross examination. The tissue samples were taken from different sites, processed and routine staining done. The slides were then examined under light microscope for hyalinization and fibrinoid necrosis. The data was analyzed by applying ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey at 95% confidence interval. Mean ± standard deviations (SD) were computed.

RESULTS

The mean number of hyalinized villi in control group was 0.54 ± 0.908, 1.18 ± 1.9540 in the diabetic group and 2.14 ± 1.863 in the hypertensive group. The difference in their average turned out to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.001). Mean number of villi having fibrinoid necrosis was statistically significant in both the diabetic and hypertensive groups as compared to the control group i.e. 13.98 vs. 4.02 and 10.08 vs. 4.02 respectively (p-value < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

There was significantly greater fibrinoid necrosis and hyalinization in placentae from mothers having diabetes and hypertension. The fibrinoid necrosis was seen more in diabetic group as compared to hypertensive and control, while hyalinization was observed more frequently in hypertensive group as compared to the other groups. Placental changes as seen in examination of delivered placentae will be helpful in preventing the adverse effects in successive pregnancies.