Stereological Analysis of Adolescent Placentas and Anthropometric Characteristics of Newborns

Introduction: Knowledge of the size of surfaces available for transport is important for assessing the amount of nutrients that can be transmitted to the fetus for its normal growth and development. Aim: The aim of our study, was to determine the stereological structural parameters of the parenchymal part of placenta, ratio of birth weight and placental weight, and to determine their correlation with the body length and head circumference of the newborns of adolescent pregnant women. Methods: The study was conducted on a total of 60 human placentas of term pregnancy, divided into two groups according to the age of pregnant women. The experimental group consisted of 30 placenta of pregnant women aged 13-19. The control group consisted of 30 placenta of pregnant women aged 20-35. Computer assisted morphological analysis of images of histological preparations using stereological methods was performed. Results: Surface density of terminal villi of adolescent placentas is significant higher than the control group (t = 14,179, df = 29, p <0,0001). The T-test (t = -5,868, df = 29, p <0,0001) showed statistically significant difference in the surface density of fibrinoid in two compared groups. T-test (t = 6.438, df = 29, p <0.0001) found that total surface of terminal villi was significantly higher in adolescent placentas. The T-test (t = -6,747, df = 29, p <0,0001) found that total surface of fibrinoid was significantly lower in adolescent group. The T-test (t = 4.203, df = 29, p <0.0001) found that the ratio of birth weight of newborn and adolescent placental weight was significantly higher in relation to the control group. Conclusion: Adolescent placentas was more efficient in increasing the weight of newborns, compared to the control group placentas.