Placental insufficiency

As placental insufficiency the lack of function of the placenta ( placenta) is referred to in obstetric medicine.

The placenta normally used for nutrition of the unborn child: oxygen, nutrients and other substances (such as hormones or antibodies ) can pass over here from the maternal circulation into the child. The two circuits are thus generally but separated from each other - there is no mixing of the blood of the mother with the child's place. Blood cells occur over only a minimal extent.

In addition, the education center of numerous placental hormones, the most important among them are estrogens and progestogens ( schwangeschaftsfördernde hormones), as well as the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Does the placenta these functions inadequately, one speaks of a Plazentaisuffizienz or disturbance of the feto -maternal unit.

Molding

There are an acute and a chronic form differed.

An acute placental insufficiency is generally formed by a sudden reduction of blood flow in either the maternal or the child's part of the placenta. Causes may be:

• On the part of the mother's vena cava compression syndrome, hypotension eg as part of an epidural, previa labor storm during birth, premature detachment of the placenta or bleeding from a placenta.
• On the part of the child typically umbilical cord problems such as looping, event, or nodule formation.

The acute placental insufficiency is an emergency in which an acute oxygen deficiency of the child arises and it threatens to die quickly.

A chronic placental insufficiency manifested by slower growth of the child. Features can one for the week of pregnancy to be small belly of the pregnant woman ( inaccurate characters ). The safest, the diagnosis can be made by an ultrasound. This shows too small a fetus floating in too little amniotic fluid ( oligohydramnios ); ( uterine aa. ) in the ultrasound of the maternal vessels and the child ( or aa. umbilical arteries. cerebri mediae ) arise pathological findings. The causes are usually in a primary disease of the mother, such as anemia, diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, hypertension or infections. Also, pregnancy -specific conditions may be the cause, such as the rhesus incompatibility, preeclampsia. Finally, also the consumption of alcohol or nicotine during pregnancy to insufficient power of the placenta lead.

Measures

To a deterioration of the child's being to prevent in the chronic form of placental insufficiency, the pregnant bed rest and physical rest are prescribed, to promptly recognize any doubt hospitalization complications. If there are signs of deterioration in the condition of the child's birth must be initiated. The acute form of the disorder often needs to be treated by immediate delivery.

• Disease in gynecology and obstetrics