A reevaluation of placental grading and its clinical significance

Pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation have an earlier and faster placental maturation than normal. This is demonstrated in a study of 1,096 obstetrical examinations of 473 non-diabetic mothers. It is recommended that a pregnancy demonstrating grade I maturational changes prior to 27 weeks, grade II changes prior to 32 weeks, or especially grade III changes prior to 34 weeks be followed clinically and ultrasonically for possible complications.