Pathologic features of the placenta in women with severe pregnancy complications and thrombophilia.

OBJECTIVE

To compare placental pathology between women with and without thrombophilia who had severe preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, severe abruptio placentae, or stillbirth.

METHODS

After delivery, 68 women with singleton pregnancies with one of the above complications were evaluated for an inherited thrombophilia: factor V Leiden, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and prothrombin gene mutation, and deficiencies of protein S, protein C, and antithrombin III. Thirty-two women were thrombophilic (group A), and 36 women were not (group B). There was no difference in maternal age, parity, and type of pregnancy complication. A single pathologist examined each placenta.

RESULTS

The gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and placental weight were significantly lower in group A. Three parameters showed significant differences between the groups: thrombophilic women had a higher number of villous infarcts (P <.01), more multiple infarcts (P <.05), and a higher incidence of placentas with fibrinoid necrosis of decidual vessels (P <.05).

CONCLUSION

Placentas of women with severe complications and thrombophilia have an increased rate of vascular lesions.