Enhanced grading system for monitoring fetal well-being

Quantifying placental calcification and infarction aids the obstetrician in assessing these well-established indicators of potential complica-tions. In the western world, almost all women are offered at least one ultrasound examination during pregnancy. The Euronatal audit study1 demonstrated that accurate detection of growth retardation in utero, which is linked to placental calcification (calcium deposits), can result in better management of babies, further assessment of intrauterine development using Doppler (ultrasound) techniques, and interventions that reduce perinatal death.2 Calcifications of the placenta are well associated with fe-tal distress in labor, poor perinatal outcome, maternal smoking, first-time mothers, and subsequent development of a toxic dis-order known as preeclampsia, which carries an increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality.3–