The placenta is one of the most important organs for the development of the fetus, which is located in the body of a woman only during pregnancy. It begins to form a week after conception and 30 minutes after a successful delivery, it separates from the inner wall of the uterus and ceases to exist. The intrauterine development of the unborn baby depends on how well this organ functions. Nutrition of the fetus, its respiration and excretion of waste products is carried out precisely through the placenta.
Blood vessels of the mother and fetus are found in this organ. The embryo receives the nutrients and oxygen necessary for development from maternal arterial blood, and its venous blood takes away all unnecessary.
During pregnancy, gynecologists monitor the condition of this organ. Be sure to do an ultrasound and evaluate its thickness, density, permeability, degree of maturity, as well as the place of attachment in the uterus.
Placental infarction - what is it?
Any deviations from the normal state of this organ can lead to impaired development of the fetus of varying severity and even death. A heart attack develops as a result of a sudden violation of blood flow in the supply artery. This is the cause of necrosis of a certain area of the placenta. Sometimes a heart attack is significant and can permeate the entire thickness of the organ. In the future, fibrin may be deposited in such areas. In addition, small foci of heart attack can be caused by deposits of calcium salts in the placenta.
The placenta has a limited lifespan. It develops, performs the functions assigned to it and grows old. Signs of organ aging can be calcareous inlays (deposition of salts in its individual areas) - this is one of the varieties of heart attack. But whatever the nature of this pathology, in any case, this part of the placenta ceases to cope with its function.
Placental infarction. Causes
What factors can lead to this pathology? Placental infarction - what is it, we found out, now we will deal with the causes. Most often, this pathology is caused by:
prolonged toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy (preeclampsia, eclampsia);
- uneven accelerated maturation of the placenta;
kidney disease in a pregnant woman;
high blood pressure of the expectant mother;
overweight pregnant woman or, conversely, its lack.
Diagnostics
To identify this pathology, ultrasound of the placenta is used. In this study, heart attacks are detected as some formations of various shapes with clear hyperechoic edges on the outside or as a homogeneous (homogeneous) hypoechoic spot in the thickness of the parenchyma.
In addition, ultrasound allows you to determine the location of the placenta in the uterus. This makes it possible to identify placenta previa and avoid unforeseen complications.
After the birth of the fetal placenta is carefully examined. With a normally developing pregnancy and its successful resolution, on the maternal side of the placenta, you can sometimes notice small white dense spots in the form of intersperses. These are deposits of calcium salts in the dying villi of an aging placenta. Small foci of a heart attack of such a plan do not affect the development of the fetus.
Effects
Placental infarction - what is it and how is it dangerous for the fetus? It all depends on the size of the necrotic changes. If necrosis has affected a small area of this organ, then most likely this fact will not affect the health of the unborn baby.
With numerous microinfarctions or necrosis of a site with a diameter of about three centimeters or more, the fetus may experience hypoxia and lack of nutrition. This condition is called placental insufficiency. This pathology is especially dangerous in the third trimester of pregnancy, because it often leads to intrauterine growth retardation of the future baby. Damage to the infarction of the placenta by more than 1/3 can lead to fetal death.
Medical observation for dysfunctions of this embryonic organ is mandatory (including such as placental infarction). The causes that lead to this pathology should be identified and eliminated as soon as possible.
Prevention
Every woman, having learned about her pregnancy, sincerely believes that with her unborn child everything will be in order and he will be born quite healthy. In order for this to happen exactly this way, it is important to follow some preventive measures for placental insufficiency, which can lead to placental infarction. What is it and what are its consequences, we found out.
Measures for the prevention of infarction of the placenta:
timely registration for pregnancy;
several times during pregnancy, it is mandatory to do an ultrasound;
comply with all the recommendations of a gynecologist and undergo the necessary laboratory tests;
walks in the open air;
proper nutrition.
These simple rules will help to get rid of unforeseen situations to the expectant mother and her baby.