Comparative study of microvascular structural changes in the gestational diabetic placenta

AIMS: Microvascular morphology and pathological changes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) placentas and normal placentas were observed via vascular casting technology, electron microscopy, and pathological detection technology. Vascular structure and histological morphology changes in GDM placentas were examined to generate basic experimental data for the diagnosis and prognostic determination of GDM. METHODS: This case–control study involving 60 placentas, 30 from healthy controls and 30 from patients with GDM. Differences in size, weight, volume, umbilical cord diameter, and gestational age were assessed. Histological changes in the placentas in the two groups were analyzed and compared. A placental vessel casting model was constructed using a self-setting dental powder technique, to compare the two groups. The placental cast microvessels of the two groups were compared using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in maternal age or gestational age between the GDM group and the control group (p > .05). The size, weight, volume, and thickness of the placentas in the GDM group were significantly greater than those in the control group, as was umbilical cord diameter (p < .05). Immature villus, fibrinoid necrosis, calcification, and vascular thrombosis were significantly greater in the placental mass in the GDM group (p < .05). The terminal branches of the microvessels in diabetic placenta casts were sparse, with significantly fewer ends and lower villous volume (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Gestational diabetes can cause gross and histological changes in the placenta, particularly placental microvascular changes.