Asymptomatic thrombocytopenia associated with chorioangioma of placenta

Article Abstract:

Chorioangioma is a common tumor found in the placenta which is usually small and detected by careful inspection of the placenta. If the tumor goes undetected, and grows large, it may cause complications affecting both the mother and fetus. Complications include: toxic blood (toxemia); pregnancy-induced high blood pressure; abruptio placentae, or premature separation of the placenta; premature labor; hydrops, an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the infant body; fetal malformations; fetal thrombocytopenia, a low level of platelets responsible for clotting; and skin angiomas, tumors made of blood vessels. A 21- year-old pregnant mother was revealed by routine blood tests to have a low platelet count. Ultrasonography, the use of high frequency sound waves to visualize internal structures, confirmed the diagnosis of a healthy male infant with no malformations and a chorioangioma. Low maternal platelet counts were probably activated by tissue death in the placenta. Correct diagnosis can prevent maternal and fetal complications.

Author: Limaye, Nirmala S., Tchabo, Jean-Gilles
Case studies, Ultrasound imaging, Complications and side effects, Angioma

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Increased incidence of placental chorioangioma in high-altitude pregnancies: hypobaric hypoxia as a possible etiologic factor

Article Abstract:

The placentas of pregnant women living at high altitudes may develop benign tumors due to lack of oxygen. Researchers compared the placentas of 22 high altitude pregnancies to those of 59 normal altitude pregnancies. High altitude pregnancies were associated with much lower birth weight, placental weight, and placental size than those of normal altitude pregnancies. Benign tumors were found in five of the 22 high altitude placentas but in none of the normal altitude placentas. Three different types of benign tumors were identified, indicating they varied in stage of growth. Blood clots and calcified deposits were found. Benign tumors of the placenta may be 20 times more common at high altitude pregnancies than in those at normal altitude. At high altitude, the mothers' blood carries less oxygen so the fetus receives less oxygen.

Author: Burton, Graham J., Reshetnikova, Olga S., Milovanov, Andrei P., Fokin, Eugene I.
Health aspects, Environmental aspects, Hypoxia, Anoxia, Altitudes, Altitude

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Placental histomorphometry and morphometric diffusing capacity of the villous membrane in pregnancies complicated by maternal iron-deficiency anemia

Article Abstract:

Placentas of pregnant women with anemia may be smaller than normal, not larger, as has previously been thought. Judging placental function based on placental weight alone may not be valid. Researchers studied the newly delivered placentas of 20 pregnancies complicated by maternal iron deficiency anemia. The structure of the placentas was decreased in volume and surface area, while the weights were normal. Placentas were thought to diffuse substances normally, and functioned adequately to support healthy infants in all 20 cases. Undernutrition may have caused the mothers' anemia, and resulted in placental changes similar to those seen in high altitude pregnancies.

Author: Burton, Graham J., Reshetnikova, Olga S., Teleshova, Olga V.
Anemia, Physiological aspects, Growth, Pregnancy, Placenta, Anemia in pregnancy

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Subjects list: Placental diseases, Placenta diseases
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