Prenatal Sonographic Prediction of Placental Histology and Function

Placenta pathology is examined at the time of delivery and can show the underlying pathophysiology of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The Amsterdam consensus has identified four primary categories of injury, acute inflammation, fetal vascular malperfusion, maternal vascular malperfusion, and chronic inflammation associated with adverse obstetric outcomes. Findings from placental pathologic examination performed at delivery can reveal important patterns of injury that lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes but cannot aid in preventing these outcomes. Ultrasound of the placenta may be able to detect pla…