Do small for gestational age fetuses have placental pathologies?

Abstract Purpose: Although small for gestational age (SGA) does not cause adverse perinatal outcomes, placental pathology for fetal growth restriction (FGR) and SGA fetuses is still unknown. Aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between placentas of early onset FGR, late onset FGR, SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pregnancies in manner of microvasculature and expression of anti-angiogenic PEDF factor and CD68. Methods:Study included four groups (early onset FGR, late onset FGR, SGA and AGA). Placental samples were obtained just after labor in all groups. Degenerative criteria were investigated with Hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemical evaluation with H score and m RNA levels of Cluster of differentiation 68 (CD 68) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) were performed for each group. Results:The highest levels of degeneration were detected in early onset FGR group. In means of degeneration in SGA placentas were found to be worser than AGA placentas. Intensity of PEDF and CD 68 were significant in early FGR, Late FGR and SGA groups compared to AGA group (p<0.001). mRNA level results of PEDF and CD 68 were also parallel to immunostaining results. Conclusion: Although SGA fetuses are thought as constitutional smallness, SGA placentas also demonstrated signs of degeneration similar to FGR placentas. These degenerative signs were not seen among AGA placentas.