Histological features of the placenta in women with premature birth

Aim. To compare placental morphology in patients with preterm birth and with full-term birth without gynecological infections.Materials and Methods. We performed a retrospective, case-control study which included 150 women with vaginal delivery (50 women with preterm birth and 100 women with full-term birth). Placental tissues were studied by histological examination.Results. Histological signs of placental immaturity were detected in all patients with preterm birth and were absent in those with full-term birth (p < 0.001). Placental insufficiency was diagnosed in 27 (54%) women with preterm birth and in 35 (35%) women with full-term birth (χ2 = 4.962, p = 0.026). Partial compensation of placental insufficiency was detected in 10 (20%) women with preterm birth and were not observed in patients with full-term birth. Signs of placental infection were registered in 32 (64%) women with preterm birth and 37 (37%) patients with full-term birth (χ2 = 9.783, p = 0.002). Chronic deciduitis was documented in 9 (18%) women with preterm birth and 7 (7%) women with full-term birth (χ2 = 4.233, p = 0.04), chronic histiocytic intervillositis was found in 16 (32%) women with preterm birth and 11 (11%) women with full-term birth (χ2=9.959, p=0.001), chorioamnionitis was diagnosed in 20 (40%) women with preterm birth and 25 (25%) women with full-term birth (χ2 = 3.571, p = 0.059), respectively. Purulent membranitis was detected only in 5 (10%) women with preterm birth.Conclusion. Patients with preterm vaginal birth without gynecological infections are characterized by a higher prevalence of placental infections (64%) and placental insufficiency (54%) than women with full-term birth.