Morphological variations in Placentas among Deliveries in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: The full term human placenta is a flattened discoidal mass with an approximately circular or oval outline. However, variations can be present in the morphology in the form of bidiscoidal shape, lobed, diffused, fenestrated or circumvallate. The objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of morphological variations in placentas among deliveries in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care centre.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among total in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care centre after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 2308202105). The study was conducted between September 2021 to November 2021 and the shape of the placenta was observed and the variations present were noted. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.

Results: Out of 105 placentas observed, morphological variations were seen in two (1.91%) (0-4.53, 95% Confidence Interval). One (50%) was observed to be placenta succenturiata and one (50%) was triangular in shape.

Conclusions: The prevalence of morphological variations in placentas was found to be higher than the studies done in similar settings.