Fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia as endpoints of a spectrum from the viewpoint of placental histopathology
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We evaluated the common histopathological characteristics of preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR), and demonstrated the major differences of the three groups of 1/PE with FGR, 2/PE without FGR and 3/FGR without PE. METHODS: Placental slides were studied retrospectively. Predominantly FGR- and PE-associated lesions were identified. Gestational age at the time of delivery (GATD) and diagnosis-to-delivery time (DTDT) were also examined. RESULTS: Decidual arteriopathies, maternal hypertension and obesity were more common in PE, and villous capillarization was significantly lower in FGR. We found that only villous infarction and chorangiosis had a connection with GATD. Villous infarction and chorangiosis were associated with DTDT >80 days, while placental changes leading to decreased villous capillarization was associated with DTDT
Fields of Study & Subjects
Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
Cancer Risks and Factors
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Publisher
- Edizioni Minerva Medica
- Volume
- 78
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 205–214
- Publication date
- 19 January 2026
- Language
- EN