| Abstract: | 10 placentae each from the cases of IUGR with normal ponderal index (NPI) and low ponderal index (LPI) and 10 from normal pregnancy as control were analysed quantitatively with stereological principles. This study showed the placental weight, volume, surface area of villi and villous fetal capillary in IUGR were significantly reduced than that in control group. The percentage ratio of the fetal capillary volume was increased significantly in IUGR group but the ratio of vasculo-syncytial membrane/villous fetal capillary decreased. It suggested that compensation to anoxemia in placenta of IUGR was incomplete. The data also found that all the parameters in NPI group were decreased significantly than that in LPI group, which implied NPI group had a more severe growth deficiency of the placental functional structure. When placental growth deficiency occurs in the first or second trimester, both the fetal length and weight will be severely affected. |
