Associations Between the Features of Gross Placental Morphology and Birthweight

Alexa A. Freedman, Carol J. Hogue, Carmen J. Marsit, Augustine Rajakumar, Alicia K. Smith, Robert L. Goldenberg, Donald J. Dudley, George R. Saade, Robert M. Silver, Karen J. Gibbins, Barbara J. Stoll, Radek Bukowski, Carolyn Drews-Botsch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The placenta plays a critical role in regulating fetal growth. Recent studies suggest that there may be sex-specific differences in placental development. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the associations between birthweight and placental morphology in models adjusted for covariates and to assess sex-specific differences in these associations. We analyzed data from the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network's population-based case–control study conducted between 2006 and 2008, which recruited cases of stillbirth and population-based controls in 5 states. Our analysis was restricted to singleton live births with a placental examination (n = 1229). Characteristics of placental morphology evaluated include thickness, surface area, difference in diameters, shape, and umbilical cord insertion site. We used linear regression to model birthweight as a function of placental morphology and covariates. Surface area had the greatest association with birthweight; a reduction in surface area of 83 cm2, which reflects the interquartile range, is associated with a 260.2-g reduction in birthweight (95% confidence interval, −299.9 to −220.6), after adjustment for other features of placental morphology and covariates. Reduced placental thickness was also associated with lower birthweight. These associations did not differ between males and females. Our results suggest that reduced placental thickness and surface area are independently associated with lower birthweight and that these relationships are not related to sex.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)194-204
Number of pages11
JournalPediatric and Developmental Pathology
Volume22
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2019

Keywords

  • birthweight
  • fetal
  • neonatal
  • placenta
  • placental shape
  • placental size

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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