Chorionic villous haemorrhage is associated with retroplacental haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the frequency of occurrence of chorionic villous haemorrhage in placentas with retroplacental haemorrhage, and to discuss the pathogenesis of these conditions.

DESIGN

A retrospective study using histological sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded placental tissue stained with haematoxylin and eosin.

SETTING

Department of Histopathology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.

SUBJECTS

Sixty cases of retroplacental haemorrhage, 34 cases of chorioamnionitis, and 24 histologically normal placentas.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT

Presence or absence of chorionic villous haemorrhage.

RESULTS

Chorionic villous haemorrhage was present in 31 of 60 cases of retroplacental haemorrhage (51%), one of 34 cases of chorioamnionitis (2.9%) and in no normal placentas.

CONCLUSIONS

It is postulated that chorionic villous haemorrhage reflects a disturbance of fetal vascular dynamics and precedes retroplacental haemorrhage. Such a disturbance could trigger the events leading to abruption.