Publications
Abnormal placental cord insertion and adverse pregnancy outcomes: Results from a prospective cohort study
Digital imaging provided objective measurements of placental cord insertions, with abnormal insertions significantly associated with an increased risk of SGA and low birth weight.
- Authors
Khadijah Ismail, Keelin O'Donoghue
- Year
- 2017
- Journal Name
- American Journal of Perinatology
- Category
- Journal Article
- Keywords
- Perinatal pathology, Stillbirth
- Full Citation
Ismail KI, Hannigan A, Kelehan P, O'Donoghue K, Cotter A. Abnormal placental cord insertion and adverse pregnancy outcomes: Results from a prospective cohort study. American Journal of Perinatology. 2017;34(11):1152-1159. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1604413.
- Link to Publication
- https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1604413
Abstract
In this study we set out to measure the distance from the placental cord insertion (PCI) site to the placental margin using digital imaging, and to examine the association between abnormal PCI and adverse pregnancy outcomes in singleton pregnancies. This prospective cohort study examined 1,005 placentas from consecutively delivered singleton pregnancies in a tertiary center. Standardized images of each placenta were taken and digital measurement was performed using ImageJ software. The rates of velamentous (insertion into the membrane) and marginal (<2 cm from placental margin) cord insertions in a total of 1,005 singleton pregnancies were 3.6% and 6.4%, respectively. Abnormal PCI was found to be more common among smokers compared with non-smokers. Abnormal PCI was found to be significantly associated with small for gestational age and low birth weight. Digital imaging analysis using ImageJ software mapped the surface of the placenta and provided objective measurement of PCI site. In this large prospective cohort, abnormal PCIs were significantly associated with an increased risk of small for gestational age and low birth weight.