Relationship between placental weight, birth weight, maternal biosocial characteristics and placental-to-birth-weight ratio

Abstract

Background: Although routine measurements are taken at birth, the derivable benefits from their interpretations have not been maximized in the care of the newborn. 

 Aim: To determine the relationship between placental weight (PW) at birth, maternal biosocial characteristics, birth weight (BW) and placental-to-birth-weight ratio (PBWR) on immediate and follow up care of the newborn.

 Methods: A cross-sectional study involving parturient who had singleton deliveries at ≥32weeks gestation with comparison of maternal biosocial parameters, PW, BW and PBWR. Deliveries <32weeks gestation, multiple gestation and incomplete placenta were excluded from the study.  Data was retrieved from the institutional birth registry; data management included determination and comparison of mean values and ratio of individual parameters using SPSS version 21.0.

 Result: Among the 8645 participants, the mean PW was 589.2±146g and it increased with maternal age. The mean BW increased with maternal age with a decline from 35years, PBWR declined until age 30years with a rise afterwards. The mean PW increased with parity, the BW increased till the fourth delivery when it began to decline but PBWR did not follow a regular pattern with parity. The PW and BW increased with gestational age while PBWR increased till 36^th week, declined from 37^th to 42^nd week with a rise from 43^rd week. The mean PW and BW increased with maternal educational status while booked participants had higher PW and BW but lower PBWR compared to unbooked women.

 Conclusion: The placental weight is a central index for the interpretation of measurements at birth, detection of associated abnormalities and suggestion for neonatal follow-up.