Trophoblast apoptosis in human term placentas from pregnancies complicated with idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation.

Objective: To investigate proliferative, apoptotic, and antiapoptotic activity of placental trophoblast in pregnancies complicated with idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).

Methods: Study group included data and placentas from 52 normal singleton term pregnancies with idiopathic IUGR. Records and placentas from 69 singleton pregnancies with normal fetal growth served as a control group.

Trophoblast apoptosis in placentas from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.

Aims: To assess trophoblast apoptosis separately in the cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, total villous trophoblast, syncytial knots and syncytial knot formation, and to investigate the expression of apoptotic factors Fas ligand (FasL), Bcl-2 and proliferation marker Ki-67 in the trophoblast of placentas from preeclamptic patients.

Methods: The study included placental samples from 25 preeclamptic and 25 normal pregnancies. For the detection of apoptosis and proliferation, antibody M30 and antibody against Ki-67 antigen were used.

Morphological characteristics of placentas associated with idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation: a clinicopathologic study.

Objectives: To investigate histopathologic findings, placental diameters and characteristics of syncytial knots in the placentas from idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) pregnancies, and to compare them with a normal birth weight group.

Study Design: Based on strict eligibility criteria, this prospective case-control study included 52 term placentas from idiopathic IUGR pregnancies and 69 term placentas from normal birth weight pregnancies. The study was carried out at the Clinical Hospital Centre, Split, where all placentas were collected and examined.

Effect of parental anthropometric parameters on neonatal birth weight and birth length.

Data on 550 healthy pregnant women, 550 healthy fathers and their healthy term neonates born from singleton pregnancies (37(+0) through 41(+6) week) during a one-year period were reviewed. Maternal mean age was 27.7 +/- 9.

Gestational age--the most important factor of neonatal ponderal index.

Ponderal index (fetal weight in grams X 100 / (fetal length in centimeters)3) (PI) is one of the anthropometric methods used to diagnose impaired fetal growth. Irrespective of the infant's position on the growth-weight-for-gestational age charts, PI is low in malnourished infants and high in obese ones. As fetal growth is affected by ethnicity, geographic location and socioeconomic status, we developed standards for neonatal PI, and assessed the effects of gestational age, sex and maternal parity.