Ultrsonographic Grade 3 Placenta at 36 Weeks Gestation as a Predictor of Adverse Fetal and Maternal Outcome in Low-risk Pregnancy

Abstract

The association of ultrasonically detectable placental changes with increasing gestational age was first reported by Winsberg, but it was Grannum et al., who introduced a grading system based on the ultrasonographic appearance of placentas. They graded placentas from 0 (Immature) to III (mature) on the basis of changes in the appearance of the chorionic plate, placental structure and basal layer. By 38 gestational weeks, 5-10% of placentas present as grade III. It used to be thought that a Grannum grade III placenta was associated with mature fetal lung and placental dysfunction (Gowda et al., 2013). Ultrasound detection of a gradeIII placenta at 36weeks’ gestation in a low risk population helps to identify the ‘‘at-risk’’ pregnancy. It helps to predict subsequent development of proteinuric pregnancy-induce