Morphological and Histological Features of Placenta in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension and its Association with Perinatal Outcome: A study Protocol

Abstract

The placenta is a key fetomaternal organ, and its structural changes mirror maternal disease and influence neonatal outcomes. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) commonly alter placental morphology and histology, leading to adverse perinatal outcomes. This prospective observational study will analyze 90 placentae (30 GDM, 30 HDP, 30 controls) for gross parameters (weight, size, infarcts, calcifications) and histological features (villous immaturity, syncytial knots, fibrinoid necrosis, chorangiosis, villous hypoplasia). GDM is expected to correlate with macrosomia and NICU admissions, while HDP is linked to growth restriction, preterm birth, and low Apgar scores.