Pathomorphological Features of the Lesion of the Afterbirth in Extremely Premature Newborns with Intraventricular Hemorrhages

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate morphological changes of placenta in 21 dead preterm babies with extremely low body weight. Materials and Methods. We evaluated the grade of immaturity of the placenta, inflammatory changes of placenta and extraplacental membranes in premature babies who died because of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) 2-3 grades and without sonographic and pathomorphological signs of IVH. Results. We identified the signs of ascending amniotic infections in 13 (100%) children with IVH and only in 4 (50%) babies without IVH. We also found that placenta damages in babies with IVH were associated with bacterial and mixed viral-bacterial infections, and the viral agent was represented mainly by the herpetic group. Only viral pathogens (mainly of the herpetic group) were identified as etiological factors of ascending infection in children without IVH. The role of compensatory changes of the placenta observed in children without signs of IVH in prolongation of pregnancy was noted. Conclusions. The presence of viral-bacterial lesions of placenta has a more pronounced impact on premature delivery, which increases the risk of complications in premature newborns in the form of damage to the central nervous system – intraventricular hemorrhages.

Keywords

• preterm newborn
• placenta infections
• intraventricular hemorrhage