Fetal death and placental weight/birthweight ratio: a population study

Abstract

Objective: To study the association of placental weight and placental weight/birthweight ratio with gestational age-specific fetal death.

Design: Population-based study.

Setting: Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

Population: All singleton births in Norway, 1999-2008 (n = 534 892).

Methods: Gestational age-specific quartiles of placental weight and placental weight/birthweight ratio were estimated, and proportions of fetal deaths and live births within the lowest and highest quartile were compared. The risk of fetal death associated with placental weight/birthweight ratio was estimated as crude and adjusted odds ratios.

Main outcome measures: Offspring vital status.

Results: Pregnancies with fetal death were overrepresented in the lowest quartile of placental weight and placental weight/birthweight ratio in term and preterm deliveries. In preterm deliveries, fetal deaths were also overrepresented in the highest placental weight/birthweight ratio. Adjusted odds ratio of fetal death in preterm deliveries was 1.67 (95% confidence interval 1.44-1.94) for placental weight/birthweight ratio in the lowest quartile and 1.79 (95% confidence interval 1.55-2.08) in the highest quartile. Corresponding odds ratios for deliveries at term were 1.76 (95% confidence interval 1.50-2.06) and 1.18 (95% confidence interval 0.99-1.41).

Conclusions: Both small and large placentas relative to birthweight were associated with fetal death in preterm births. At term, only small placentas relative to birthweight were associated with fetal death. Understanding the mechanisms behind the increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnancies with disproportionate placental weight/birthweight ratio may be important for prevention of fetal deaths.