Morphopathology of human placenta in diabetic pregnancy

Normal foetal growth and survival depends on proper development and function of the placenta . The diabetic pregnancy is characterized by numerous disturbances in the fetal growth and development. The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of gestational diabetes on the morphology and histology of the placenta to confirm the magnitude of damage caused by diabetes to human placenta. Twenty five placentas of full term pregnancy were collected from Al-Hilla Teaching Hospital. In diabetic pregnancy, placental weight is higher in comparison to normal pregnancy, large size placenta, central thickness more than normal group, there is change of shape i.e. two lobes in one placenta. All other placenta were singly lobed ,two marginal attachment of umbilical cord ,The terminal villi in placentas of diabetes controlled on insulin showed the increased number of syncytial knots.the stroma of the villi demonstrated villous edema, fibrinoid necrosis, foetal capillary proliferation. Keywords: gestational diabetes, Morphometric , Placenta, terminal vill