From http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query


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Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1996 Jul;54(1):11-5

HIGH ALTITUDE AND SPONTANEOUS PRETERM BIRTH.

Ali KZ, Ali ME, Khalid ME.

Department of Anatomy, Abha Medical College, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between high altitude and spontaneous
preterm birth. METHODS: Eleven placentas from cases of high altitude (3000
m) spontaneous preterm deliveries with no clinical predisposing cause were
collected in Abha, a city of southern Saudi Arabia. The placentas were
examined histologically using sections stained by periodic acid-Schiff and
hematoxylin-eosin. The mean percentages of villi with syncytial knots and
cytotrophoblastic cells were determined. RESULTS: Histology of the placenta
samples showed an excessive formation of syncytial knots (45.4 +/- 13.3%)
and cytotrophoblastic cells (52.7 +/- 15.2%) at terminal villi. CONCLUSION:
The enhanced formation of syncytial knots and cytotrophoblastic cells is a
histological feature of placental hypoxia, which may be secondary to
maternal hypoxia resulting from high altitude hypoxia. Since placental
hypoxia is associated with an increased incidence of spontaneous preterm
birth, we suggest that high altitude may be involved in the etiology of
spontaneous preterm birth.

PMID: 8842812 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]





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