Placental pathology and intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm and small for gestational age infants

J Perinatol. 2021 Apr;41(4):843-849. doi: 10.1038/s41372-021-00954-6. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between chorioamnionitis and vascular malperfusion on placental pathology and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in premature and small for gestational age (SGA) infants.

Study design: A retrospective analysis of 263 infants ≤34 weeks gestation or ≤1800 g and their mothers was conducted by chart review for placental pathology and clinical data from 2014 to 2018. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR) for the association of placental pathology with IVH were calculated.

Result: Unadjusted OR showed an association between acute chorioamnionitis and IVH, but logistic regression analysis showed a non-significant adjusted OR between acute or chronic chorioamnionitis with IVH. Maternal vascular malperfusion was significantly associated with increased IVH when controlling for confounders.

Conclusion: Placental maternal vascular malperfusion is associated with the development of IVH in premature and SGA infants when controlling for other confounders.

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Hemorrhage
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases*
  • Placenta
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies