The Effect of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on the Chorionic Villi of Human Placenta Among Saudi Arabian Mothers: A Quantitative and Comparative Study

Background The placenta is a temporary pivotal organ - the gate between the mother and the fetus. It has multiple functions such as nutrient uptake, elimination of waste products, gas exchange, and production of some vital hormones. However, the pregnancy state is a diabetogenic condition caused by insulin resistance, resulting from physiological variations. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can have an impact on both the mother and the fetus by causing numerous complications. In our research study, we aim to study and compare the quantitative effect of GDM at the microscopical level within the chorionic villi of the placenta of both mothers diagnosed with GDM and healthy mothers as well as the clinical correlation. Methods After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we collected 84 placental samples from February 2017 until May 2017, which were composed of 42 GDM samples and 42 healthy samples. All of these samples have been studied under a light microscope for measuring different parameters. Results We found that some of the measured parameters among diabetic villi were lower than those of healthy villi with a p-value < .05 being significant. These include the surface area of the blood vessels (P = .008), the perimeters of the blood vessels (P = .002), the placental barrier thickness/perimeters of the villous blood vessels ratio (P ≤ .001), the placental barrier thickness/surface area of the blood vessels ratio (P ≤ .001), the number of Hofbauer cells/surface area of the villous ratio (P ≤ .001), the number of the blood vessels/surface area of the villous ratio (P = .001), the surface area of the blood vessels/surface area of the villous ratio (P = .004), and the perimeters of the blood vessels/surface area of the villous ratio (P ≤ .001). These parameters have significant effects on fetal development as well as the mother’s status. Conclusions GDM is associated with multiple changes in the placenta. Moreover, these changes can impact the fetoplacental circulation and cause multiple complications for the mother and the fetus. Therefore, identifying pregnant women with GDM and controlling hyperglycemia will improve the outcomes of the pregnancy.