MORPHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION (IUGR) PLACENTAS VERSUS NORMAL PLACENTAS IN PREGNANT WOMEN OF DISTRICT RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a principal cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The placenta, as a vector for maternal-fetal nutrient and oxygen exchange has major influence on birthweight. The objectives of this study were to compare the placental weight (grams), number of syncytial knots and number of blood vessels in villi of IUGR placentas versus normal placentas. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Rai Medical College, Sargodha, Pakistan in collaboration with Zainab Memorial Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from December 2016 to November 2018. Study group included 45 IUGR placentas and control group included 25 normal placentas. Placental weight in grams, number of syncytial knots and number of blood vessels in villi of placentas were three research variables. These were described by mean, minimum, maximum, range and standard deviation for each group separately and were compared between the two groups through independent-samples t-test. Results: Descriptively the mean placental weight in grams in IUGR group (423.35±64.13g) was lower than control group placentas (535.92±44.57g). The number of syncytial knots in IUGR group placentas (22.04±5.21) was more than control group placentas (13.84±4.41). The number of blood vessels in IUGR placentas was lower than control group placentas. All three null hypothesis for research variables between the two groups were rejected (p=