Sonographic Comparison of Placental Thickness in Normal and Preeclampsia Pregnancies in the 3rd Trimester
Abstract
Background: Placental thickness is an important sonographic marker for assessing placental health and fetal well-being. Deviations in placental thickness can indicate pathological conditions, particularly preeclampsia, a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder that significantly contributes to maternal and fetal morbidity. Sonographic measurement of placental thickness has emerged as a potential diagnostic tool for identifying pregnancies at risk for complications such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm birth, and fetal distress.
Objective: This study aimed to compare placental thickness in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies during the third trimester, investigating its potential as a non-invasive marker for identifying pregnancies at risk for adverse outcomes. Additionally, the study sought to assess the relationship between placental thickness and maternal/fetal outcomes, with an emphasis on preeclampsia-related placental alterations.
Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the University Ultrasound Clinic, Lahore, with 178 pregnant women, including 89 with normal pregnancies and 89 diagnosed with preeclampsia. Placental thickness was measured using high-resolution ultrasound with a Toshiba Nemio XG machine, at the central region of the placenta perpendicular to its surface. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 25.0) to compare placental thickness between the two groups, with independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests applied to determine the significance of differences. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean placental thickness in normal pregnancies was 35.37 ± 0.58 mm, while in preeclamptic pregnancies, it was significantly higher at 43.93 ± 0.95 mm (p < 0.001). The results demonstrated a highly significant difference between the two groups, confirming the association of increased placental thickness with preeclampsia. The analysis further revealed that elevated placental thickness in preeclamptic pregnancies was associated with adverse fetal outcomes, including low birth weight, NICU admissions, and preterm birth. These findings were consistent with previous studies that highlighted the role of placental thickness as a marker for placental dysfunction.
Conclusion: The study concludes that placental thickness is significantly increased in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, which supports its potential use as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for identifying high-risk pregnancies. The results indicate that sonographic measurement of placental thickness could play a crucial role in the early detection and management of preeclampsia, potentially guiding clinical decisions to mitigate maternal and fetal risks. Future studies, particularly longitudinal multicenter studies, are recommended to validate these findings and further explore the integration of placental thickness measurements with other clinical parameters for improved pregnancy management.
