AStudy of Placenta Thickness and Fetal Weight in Hypertensive Pregnant Women using Ultrasounography

Abstract

Hypertensive pregnancy may be responsible for vascular damage, enhanced systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in the placenta as oxygen and nutrient transfer is impaired and oxidative stress is generated affecting the placental growth and development. Present study was done to investigate the changes in placenta in hypertensive pregnancy. A total of 40 pregnant women with hypertensive disorder were enrolled as cases in the study. A total of 40 matched normotensive pregnant women were enrolled as controls. All the women were followed up and findings were compared with normotensives. Data was compared using Independent sample t-test. The results of the study showed the mean age of cases was 27.85 ± 6.09 years. Mean placental thickness in hypertensive pregnancy was also higher (4.1±1.07) compared with normotensive (3.7 ± 0.7) but difference was not significant statistically. Fetal Weight in Hypertensive Pregnancy was (2 ± 0.94) compared to normotensive (2.5 ± 0.7), there is a statistically significant difference. Hypertensive pregnancy does not affect the location of the placenta. Hypertension during pregnancy affects the placental growth and development.