Evidence from the literature shows that well-controlled glucose levels during pregnancy are usually associated with normal placental morphology. The aim of this study was to identify the placental changes attributed to maternal hyperglycemia. A total of 20 placentae were selected for study from a tertiary care medical center in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. Out of 20, 10 placentae were from patients diagnosed with GDM based on IADSPG criteria, and 10 placentae were from patients with normal pregnancies without GDM. The morphometric measurements were recorded. The mean weight of GDM placentae were more than the normal placentae. Upon histopathology, significant changes such as syncytial knots, cytotrophoblastic cell proliferation, fibrinoid necrosis, stromal fibrosis, and hyalinized villi were observed in GDM placentae. GDM produces significant morphological alterations in the placentae, which might affect the developing fetus.
KEY WORDS: Placenta; Chorangiosis; Trophoblast; Villi.
