DefinePK

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to access the various types of placental abnormalities and their impact on fetal well-being, including fetal admission to the nursery, complications, and outcomes.
METHODOLOGY
This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024, in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Ayub Medical Teaching Institute, Abbottabad, Pakistan. The sample size (n = 63) was calculated using the WHO calculator 1.1, with an estimated prevalence of placenta previa of 12%, an absolute precision of 8%, and a 95% confidence interval. Patients diagnosed with placental abnormalities on grey-scale sonography were followed until delivery and discharge. The non-probability convenient sampling technique was applied for the data collection. In the study, only 63 met the inclusion criteria. The different maternal and fetal parameters of morbidity and mortality were recorded on a predesigned written questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. The statistical test, ANOVA and chi-square were used to determine the significance, and the significance value was kept below 0.05   
RESULTSFifty-four per cent of individuals belonged to the 20-34 years age group, and this age group had the highest incidence of placental abnormalities, i.e., 54% (p = 0.002). The most common abnormalities were placenta previa (20/63). The mean weight of the baby was 2.3Kg±0.6. About 15% of newborns had congenital anomalies. Nearly half of the sample population's newborns needed admission to the NICU. The most common reason for admission to NICU was acute respiratory distress syndrome 14/28 (26%). About 6% of newborns suffer from hypoxemic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The newborn mortality was 19/63 (30%) and was high in previa and abruption with a significance of 0.00. 
CONCLUSION
Although some congenital disabilities are difficult to detect in neonatal life but still careful observation of our cohort indicates that placental abnormalities increase the risk of congenital disabilities, adverse outcomes and mortality in newborns.