Placental Histopathological Abnormalities in Adverse Obstetric Outcomes: A retrospective Cross-sectional Study at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to assess the placental histopathological abnormality results in adverse obstetric outcomes and determine if there is a relationship between a specific adverse obstetric outcome and a placental histopathological finding. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2017 to January 2020 including women who were admitted to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital with an adverse obstetric outcome, where the placenta was sent for histopathological examination. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 28 and Microsoft Excel. Fisher Exact test was used for measuring the statistically significant relationship between a placenta histopathological abnormality and adverse obstetric outcome. A p value of <0.05 was determined to be statistically significant. Results: 191 women were included in the study. The most common adverse obstetric outcomes included preterm labor (25.1%), fetal growth restriction (FGR) (19.4%), preeclampsia and related complications (15%), placental abruption (14.1%), and chorioamnionitis (14%). Seventy-four percent of cases were reported with placental abnormality. In preterm labor, inflammatory lesions were present in 50.0% (p = 0.002). In FGR, fetal thrombotic vasculopathy lesions were present in 5.4% (p = 0.037). In preeclampsia, half of the cases had maternal under perfusion lesions (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Placental histopathological examination is an important tool when assessing perinatal outcomes. The placental histopathological results must be correlated with various obstetrical conditions and adverse outcomes. In addition, the results can yield to valuable information that will help the obstetricians in formulating an appropriate management plan in future pregnancies.