Abstract

A rounded intraplacental hematoma (RIH) is a recently described anomaly of the placenta. Following the identification of RIHs in two placentas associated with stillbirth in 2012, we wondered whether RIHs were associated with a higher risk of poor pregnancy outcome compared to placentas with other anomalies in the same pathology category. Pregnancies where a RIH was identified on placental examination were collected from February 2014–July 2016. Comparison was made with pregnancies with placental anomalies that are in the same pathology category but without RIH. 26 placentas with a RIH were identified and 26 placentas with pathology in the same category were selected for comparison. There was a significantly increased incidence of stillbirth in the RIH group as compared with the other group placental group. This is the first study to identify and collect RIHs using standardised pathological criteria and more than doubles the number of reported cases to date. We present two comparable, high-risk groups with a significantly increased incidence of stillbirth in those in which RIHs were seen. Further study of these lesions is justified with an emphasis on the potential for antenatal detection using ultrasound evaluation of placental texture.