Placental histopathology, maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high-risk population in South Africa
Background. Preterm birth remains a global health concern and is one of the most common pregnancy complications associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objective. To investigate placental pathology and its associations with obstetric, maternal and neonatal outcomes in the Eastern...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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South African Medical Association
2023-04-01
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| Series: | South African Medical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/934 |
| _version_ | 1797328435534626816 |
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| author | K E Sprong C A Wright M Mabenge S Govender |
| author_facet | K E Sprong C A Wright M Mabenge S Govender |
| author_sort | K E Sprong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Background. Preterm birth remains a global health concern and is one of the most common pregnancy complications associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Objective. To investigate placental pathology and its associations with obstetric, maternal and neonatal outcomes in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa (SA) in order to help understand its associations with preterm birth in that region.
Methods. In this prospective study, placentas were collected consecutively from patients attending a public tertiary referral hospital in SA, delivering preterm (n=100; 28 - 34 weeks gestational age) and term (n=20; >36 weeks gestational age). Placentas were submitted for histopathology, and comparisons with maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes in preterm birth were undertaken.
Results. Histological analysis revealed pathology in all preterm placentas (100%), with maternal vascular malperfusion (47%) and abruptio placentae (41%) most commonly identified. Acute chorioamnionitis (21%) was associated with term births (p=0.002). Maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes significantly associated with preterm birth included pre-eclampsia (p=0.006), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.004) and neonatal jaundice (p=0.003). Intrauterine demise (p=0.004) and alcohol abuse (p≤0.005) were significantly associated with term delivery. The number of mothers delivering preterm who were HIV-positive was high (41%).
Conclusion. The pathology identified in all preterm placentas supports the need to update institutional policies for submission of placentas from all preterm births for histopathology, particularly in countries with a high burden of preterm birth.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T06:51:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-233d20b97da549b5bc303261d096c225 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0256-9574 2078-5135 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T06:51:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | South African Medical Association |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-233d20b97da549b5bc303261d096c2252024-02-03T06:43:22ZengSouth African Medical AssociationSouth African Medical Journal0256-95742078-51352023-04-01113410.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i4.16772Placental histopathology, maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high-risk population in South AfricaK E Sprong0C A Wright1M Mabenge2S Govender3Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South AfricaLancet Laboratories, Johannesburg, South Africa, Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South AfricaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dora Nginza Hospital, Walter Sisulu University, Gqeberha, South AfricaDepartment of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa Background. Preterm birth remains a global health concern and is one of the most common pregnancy complications associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objective. To investigate placental pathology and its associations with obstetric, maternal and neonatal outcomes in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa (SA) in order to help understand its associations with preterm birth in that region. Methods. In this prospective study, placentas were collected consecutively from patients attending a public tertiary referral hospital in SA, delivering preterm (n=100; 28 - 34 weeks gestational age) and term (n=20; >36 weeks gestational age). Placentas were submitted for histopathology, and comparisons with maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes in preterm birth were undertaken. Results. Histological analysis revealed pathology in all preterm placentas (100%), with maternal vascular malperfusion (47%) and abruptio placentae (41%) most commonly identified. Acute chorioamnionitis (21%) was associated with term births (p=0.002). Maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes significantly associated with preterm birth included pre-eclampsia (p=0.006), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (p=0.004) and neonatal jaundice (p=0.003). Intrauterine demise (p=0.004) and alcohol abuse (p≤0.005) were significantly associated with term delivery. The number of mothers delivering preterm who were HIV-positive was high (41%). Conclusion. The pathology identified in all preterm placentas supports the need to update institutional policies for submission of placentas from all preterm births for histopathology, particularly in countries with a high burden of preterm birth. https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/934neonatal outcomepreterm birth |
| spellingShingle | K E Sprong C A Wright M Mabenge S Govender Placental histopathology, maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high-risk population in South Africa South African Medical Journal neonatal outcome preterm birth |
| title | Placental histopathology, maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high-risk population in South Africa |
| title_full | Placental histopathology, maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high-risk population in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Placental histopathology, maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high-risk population in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Placental histopathology, maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high-risk population in South Africa |
| title_short | Placental histopathology, maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high-risk population in South Africa |
| title_sort | placental histopathology maternal characteristics and neonatal outcome in cases of preterm birth in a high risk population in south africa |
| topic | neonatal outcome preterm birth |
| url | https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/934 |
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