Resumo

CORREA, Rosana Rosa Miranda et al. Anatomic and pathological placenta alterations and Apgar score variations. Rev. Bras. Saude Mater. Infant. [online]. 2006, vol.6, n.2, pp. 239-243. ISSN 1519-3829.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1519-38292006000200012.

OBJECTIVES: to describe possible placental anatomopathological alterations associated to fetal hypoxia as evaluated by the Apgar score. METHODS: one hundred sixty seven placentas of children delivered at the Hospital Escola da Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba city were analyzed both macro and microscopically; their clinical records were reviewed as well. Apgar Scores below 7 were considered consistent with fetal hypoxia. RESULTS: placental alterations compatible with inflammatory infiltrate and arterial hypertension were found. The latter was more often diagnosed in fetuses with 5 minutes Apgar scores below 7 (p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: there may be a relationship between placental alterations and fetal hypoxia as diagnosed by the Apgar score. Therefore, the exam of the placenta by the pathologist could be a mean to elucidate a plausible cause of clinically undetected perinatal hypoxia.

Palavras-chave : Apgar score; Fetus; Anoxia; Morphology; Placenta.