Placental Characteristics on Second-Trimester Ultrasound and Their Association with Maternal and Fetal Outcomes

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Assistant Professor of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Department of Gynecology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

10.48305/jims.v43.i834.1271

Abstract

Background: Many adverse maternal and fetal outcomes such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction (FGR), small for gestational age (SGA) and preterm premature rupture of the membrane (PPROM), are thought to be related to placental characteristics. Thus, several of these adverse outcomes may be detected through ultrasound, potentially allowing for preventive interventions. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between placental characteristics on second-trimester ultrasound and fetal outcomes.
Methods: This observational study was conducted on 200 pregnant women. The inclusion criteria were women with a singleton pregnancy and a gestational age between 14+0 and 27+6. All participants underwent ultrasound in their second-trimester and placental characteristics, including location, size, echogenicity, calcification grade and thickness, were recorded. All mothers were followed until delivery and maternal and fetal outcomes such as preeclampsia, FGR, SGA and PPROM were documented.
Findings: Data from 195 patients were analyzed. The mean age of participants was 31.25 ± 5.32 years. The mean gestational age at delivery was 37.91 ± 2.19 weeks (range: 24–41), and the mean gestational age at the time of ultrasound was 22.9 ± 3.89 weeks (range: 14+0–27+6). The mean placental thickness was 23.53 ± 6.22 mm (range: 14–67.6), and the mean placental area (length × width) was 11,130.09 ± 7,479.55 mm² (range: 10,008–93,021.6). Placental location was posterior in 84 cases (43.1%), anterior in 104 cases (53.3%), and fundal in 7 cases (3.6%). Only 3 cases (1.5%) had heterogeneous echogenicity. Regarding maternal and fetal outcomes, out of all participants 16 (8.2%) cases had FGR, 2 (1%) cases had IUFD, 19 (9.7%) cases had SGA, 3 (1.5%) cases had abruption, 6 (3.1%) cases had PPROM, 8 (4.1%) cases had OHA and 15 (7.6%) cases had preeclampsia.
Conclusion: Our data indicate a strong association between placental size and thickness and the occurrence of
FGR and SGA. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.

Highlights

Minoo Mohvahedi: Google Scholar 

Farinaz Farahbod: Google Scholar

Somayeh Khanjani: Google Scholar

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 43, Issue 834
2nd Week, December
November and December 2026
Pages 1271-1275

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 25 August 2025

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