Accelerated Villous Maturation of Placentas in
Spontaneous Preterm Birth
Lerluck Sakdapreecha MD*, Supinda Koonmee MD*, Tippawan Triamwittayanon BSc, MSc*,
Chumnan Kietpeerakool MD**, Pilaiwan Kleebkaow MD**
Affiliation :
* Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
** Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To determine the rate of accelerated villous maturation of placentas among spontaneous preterm births and the
associated factors.
Material and Method: Medical records and histology results of the placentas obtained from singleton spontaneous preterm
births between 2011 and 2015 at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University were reviewed. Preterm births complicated
by multiple gestations and medically indicated preterm births were excluded. Accelerated villous maturation was diagnosed
by identifying diffuse terminal villi and conspicuous syncytial knotting usually observed in term placentas.
Results : Of 97 spontaneous preterm births, 63 (64.9%) were idiopathic. The associated obstetric complications among the
remaining 34 included chorioamnionitis, intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and
maternal heart disease. Accelerated villous maturation was observed in 70 placentas (72.2%). Maternal age and gestational
age were significantly associated with accelerated villous maturation. The rate of accelerated villous maturation among
idiopathic spontaneous preterm births was comparable with those with other obstetric conditions.
Conclusion : Accelerated villous maturation of placentas among spontaneous preterm births was common. Two significant
factors associated with accelerated villous maturation in spontaneous preterm birth were gestational age and maternal
age.
Keywords : Accelerated villous maturation, Placental insufficiency, Placental pathology, Preterm birth, Risk factors
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