Placental Thickness Measurement and Its Association with Neonatal Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Placental thickness, measured by ultrasonography, might be an indicator of placental function. Adverse maternal conditions had negative outcomes on the placenta as well as on the fetal growth and maturation; thus, ultrasonographic assessment of placental thickness might be correlated with neonatal outcomes. Aim of the Work: To clarify whether the two-dimensional ultrasonographic measurements of placental thickness is associated with adverse neonatal outcome.Patients and Methods: The present observational prospective study included 150 pregnant women, enrolled between the 1st of July 2020 to 1st of January 2021, from Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Bab Al-Sharia Hospital, Al-Azhar University. Included women aged 18-40 years with singleton pregnancy and normal body mass index [BMI]. They are subjected to ultrasound examination for measuring placental thickness at second trimester [18-24 wk.] and third trimester [36 wk.] of gestation. Post-delivery birth weight of the baby, placental weight and Apgar score were documented, and correlated with the placental thickness.Results: The mean age among studied patients was 26.22±4.04 years. The mean neonatal birth weight was 3149.1± 496 g, while the average placental weight was 502.4± 58.4 g. Abnormal placental thickness at second and third trimester was associated with significant decrease in neonatal birth weight, lower placental weight and lower APGAR score at one and five minutes.Conclusion: Placental thickness can be used as an indicator for the prediction of low birth weight and early neonatal outcomes.

Keywords

• birth weight
• two-dimensional ultrasound
• placental thickness