Vicissitudes in the Placental Cotyledon Number in a Singleton Pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes

BACKGROUND: Placenta is a transient organ during pregnancy, connects the fetus to the uterine wall. Pregnancy is frequently complicated by gestational diabetes, which might cause morphological changes in the placenta (weight, diameter, and cotyledons number); consequently, it may affect both fetus and mother. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the difference in placental cotyledons number between pregnant with gestational diabetes versus without gestational diabetes, then correlate it with the weight and diameter between groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative study (gestational diabetes Group A and nongestational diabetes Group B) included mothers with a singleton baby delivered at term (37–40 weeks) after acceptance of the informed consent. Women with pregestational diabetes and other chronic diseases and those with intrauterine fetal death were excluded. Postdelivery placentae were accurately prepared and examined in detail. The placental weight, diameter, and cotyledons number were recorded and analyzed by SPSS version 21. The correlation was measured between the two groups in terms of cotyledons count, placental diameter, and weight. RESULTS: The study included 385 participants (128 Group A and 257 Group B). Placental number of cotyledons, weight, and diameter in Group A were higher than in Group B, and the difference was significant (P = 0.000, P = 0.021, and P = 0.000, respectively). In Group A, there was a significant correlation between the placental weight, diameter, and number of its cotyledons (r = 0.23, P = 0.011). Cotyledon count was significantly affected by diabetic control (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Gestational diabetes increases placental cotyledons number, weight, and diameter.