Fibrinoid Necrosis and Hyalinization Observed in Normal, Diabetic and Hypertensive Placentae Farrah Shams1, Muhammad Rafique1, Nawaz Ali Samoo2 and Raheel Irfan1
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE Fibrinoid Necrosis and Hyalinization Observed in Normal, Diabetic and Hypertensive Placentae Farrah Shams1, Muhammad Rafique1, Nawaz Ali Samoo2 and Raheel Irfan1 ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the fibrinoid necrosis and hyalinization extent in placenta observed in normal, diabetic and hypertensive pregnancies. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from 2008-2010. Methodology: One hundred and fifty placentae were divided in three groups on the basis of their histories and clinical examination. Group A (control), Group B (Diabetic) and Group C (Hypertensive), each consisted of 50 samples. The samples were transferred to Dow Diagnostic Reference and Research Laboratory for histopathology and gross examination. The tissue samples were taken from different sites, processed and routine staining done. The slides were then examined under light microscope for hyalinization and fibrinoid necrosis. The data was analyzed by applying ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey at 95% confidence interval. Mean ± standard deviations (SD) were computed. Results: The mean number of hyalinized villi in control group was 0.54 ± 0.908, 1.18 ± 1.9540 in the diabetic group and 2.14 ± 1.863 in the hypertensive group. The difference in their average turned out to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.001). Mean number of villi having fibrinoid necrosis was statistically significant in both the diabetic and hypertensive groups as compared to the control group i.e. 13.98 vs. 4.02 and 10.08 vs. 4.02 respectively (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: There was significantly greater fibrinoid necrosis and hyalinization in placentae from mothers having diabetes and hypertension. The fibrinoid necrosis was seen more in diabetic group as compared to hypertensive and control, while hyalinization was observed more frequently in hypertensive group as compared to the other groups. Placental changes as seen in examination of delivered placentae will be helpful in preventing the adverse effects in successive pregnancies. Key words: Fibrinoid necrosis. Hyalinization. Diabetes mellitus. Hypertension. Placenta. INTRODUCTION been seen as major contributors to insufficiency of Placenta is a vital organ for fetal development, formed placenta and damage of its morphological appearance, from fetal membranes and endometrium, it is basically which is vital for bringing oxygen and nutrients to fetus 2,3 meant for exchange of nutrients between maternal and and removing carbon dioxide and waste. The fetal circulation to ensure an optimal environment for significance of examining placenta in correlating the fetal growth and development. Placental examination is cause is never ruled out. Though advances have of critical value as it can be used in gathering knowledge occurred in this field, it has been found that 92% about management conducted during pregnancy, placentae sent for examination by the obstetricians and 4 identification of etiologies and pathological process neonatologists have relevant pathology. It has been contributing to the adverse outcome of pregnancy and suggested that placental examination is of critical improving management in subsequent pregnancies.1 importance in neonatal-perinatal care and placentae Gestational and established diabetes and hypertension should be sent for histopathology if there is a maternal specifically cause more destruction to placental or neonatal illness that requires medical care. structure and altering its function as a consequence of Essentially, if maternal illness is significant one such as structural changes in placental architecture. They have gestational diabetes and hypertension that can be harmful in successive pregnancies as well.5 Though it 1 Department of Anatomy, Dow University of Health Sciences has a short life span, placenta is in constant state of (DUHS), Karachi. morphological flux. It is the fastest growing organ of 2 Department of Neurosurgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical human body. It grows from a single cell to approximately Centre (JPMC), Karachi. 5 x 1010 cells in 38 weeks.6 Its histological appearance Correspondence: Dr. Farrah Shams, House No. 24/II/II, alters profoundly during gestational period. It is derived 2nd Gizri Street, Phase IV, DHA, Karachi. from both fetal and maternal tissues, the maternal E-mail: [email protected] portion being the decidua basalis and the fetal portion Received April 14, 2011; accepted July 06, 2012. being the chorion frondosum.7 Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan 2012, Vol. 22 (12): 769-772 769 Farrah Shams, Muhammad Rafique, Nawaz Ali Samoo and Raheel Irfan The objective of this study was to determine the fibrinoid placenta, 6'clock margin of placenta, junction of cord necrosis and hyalinization extent in placenta observed in with placenta, and any other abnormal area. The tissues normal, diabetic and hypertensive pregnancies. were kept in cassettes with proper labelling; processed and routine staining was done with H and E stain. METHODOLOGY The slides were then tagged and arranged and later examined under light microscope for hyalinization and A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out at fibrinoid necrosis. The total number of hyalinized villi the Department of Anatomy, Institute of Basic Medical were counted from three different fields of each slide Sciences (IBMS) and Dow Diagnostic Research and (total 4 – 5 slides per sample). Similarly, number of villi Reference Laboratory, Dow University of Health showing fibrinoid necrosis were counted from three Sciences (DDRRL/DUHS), from October 2008 to June different fields of each slide (total 4 – 5 slides per 2010. The study was approved by IRB of DUHS. The sample). samples were collected from the patients; two hospitals were selected for this purpose, National Medical Centre Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was Kalapul, Karachi and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical used to analyze the data. Frequency, mean ± standard Centre, Ward-9, Karachi. The population of interest in deviation of values were computed by using one-way this study was human placentae delivered after ANOVA for comparison between all the three study singleton delivery from normal, hypertensive and groups for both variables. Post-hoc Tukey HSDa was diabetic ladies. applied for pairwise comparison between diabetic and controls and hypertensive and controls. The significance Non-probability, purposive sampling was done. The level was considered as p ≤ 0.05 at 95% confidence patients were identified and selected through OPDs, interval (CI). on the basis of their histories and clinical examination. They were spaced in different groups. A total number of RESULTS samples collected were 150. The samples were divided Mean number of hyalinized villi at per low power field into three groups; normal (A), diabetic (B), and hyper- (LPF) at 10 x magnifications in group A, B and C are tensive (C). Each group comprised of 50 placentae. Full shown in Table I. Tissues were observed under light term placentae (37 – 40 weeks gestation) were included; microscope for histopathological changes and photo- while those below 36 weeks (premature) and above 40 micrographs were taken as shown in Figure 1 and 2. weeks (postmature) of gestation were excluded from the The mean number of hyalinized villi found in placenta in study for diabetic placentae, co-morbid conditions such groups A, B and C was 0.54 ± 0.908, 1.18 ± 1.954 and as hypertension, viral infection etc. in mother was ruled 2.14 ± 1.863 respectively. Comparing the number of out. Similarly, hypertensive group was ensured not to hyalinized villi in groups A, B and C had statistically have any other complication. Placentae from extreme significant (p < 0.001) higher number of hyalinized villi. maternal age that is < 17 or > 42 years were also excluded from this study. Only those placentae were Mean fibrinoid necrosis found in villi at per low power sent for histopathology which was preserved within 40 field at 10 x magnification in all groups were observed minutes of delivery in formalin containing jars. Informed and recorded as shown in Table I. Microphotographs are consent was taken from the consultants, hospitals and patients. After delivery the placenta along with cord and membranes was weighed, and preserved in formalin containing plastic jars within 40 minutes of delivery so as to avoid any ultra structural changes. The specimen was labeled with the patient's name, hospital ID #, disease group, and weight of placenta. The samples (placentae) were transferred to Dow Diagnostic Reference and Research Laboratory for histopathology and gross examination. The microscopic examinations of placentae was done Figure 1: Photomicrograph of 5 µm thick section of normal placenta under for which tissues were taken from different sites low power magnification showing no hyalinization and minimal fibrinoid including the centre of placenta, 12'clock margin of necrosis with H & E staining. Table I: Mean ± SD of number of hyalinization and fibrinoid necrosis of villi of placentae per low power field in different groups. Group Normal (A) CI Diabetic (B) CI Hypertensive © CI p-value No. of hyalinized villi /lpf 0.54 ± 0.908ab 95% 1.18 ± 1.945b 95% 2.14 ± 1.863c 95% < 0.001 No. of villi showing fibrinoid necrosis /lpf 4.02 ± 3.000a 95% 13.98 ± 5.374b 95% 10.08 ± 3.288c 95% < 0.001 * a, b and c shows the significance of difference between the groups after the pair wise comparison