PLACENTAL MORPHOLOGY AND BIRTH WEIGHT OF NEWBORNS IN INDIAN POPULATION
Placental morphometry determines the foetal development and adulthood disease pattern. Hence, in the present study the influence of placental weight, volume, surface area, and thickness were studied in different groups of birth weight by sex of the newborn. A baby’s low weight at birth is either the result of preterm birth (before 37 weeks of gestation) or due to restricted foetal (intrauterine) growth. Low birthweight is closely associated with foetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, inhibited growth and cognitive development, and chronic diseases later in life. Totally, 300 patients were examined after delivery from the pregnant women of age group between 20 and 35 years. The placenta morphometry study namely placental weight (409 ± 59), number of cotyledons ( 12±4), maternal (152±43) and fetal (159±39) surface area and insertion of umbilical cord at centre (4.8%) of low birth weight babies were significantly (p<0.001) reduced when compared with normal birth weight babies placental weight (573±70), number of cotyledons (16±5), maternal (251±44) and fetal (248±46) surface area, insertion of umbilical cord at centre (69%). An early examination of not only the foetus, but also the placenta by non invasive techniques like ultrasonography will be helpful to predict and avoid low birth weight babies with better preventive measures. This study will also make the physicians and researcher to focus on the placenta. The findings suggest that chronic ischemia and associated secondary changes probably lead to improper perfusion and LBWB