The Relationship between Maternal, Placental and Newborn Parameters

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maternal, placental and newborn parameters. Methods: The study was conducted in the delivery unit, Ordu province, Turkey. The sample consisted of 104 women who had agreed to participate in the research and whose pregnancy had reached 37 weeks or over. Only singleton births were included. The placental and newborn parameters were measured after delivery. Results: We found that the mean placental weight was 563.6±135.65 grs, and the mean of newborn weight was 3358±487.58 grs. The placental weight was significantly positively correlated with infant’s birth weight (p=.000), infant’s length (p=.024), maternal weight before pregnancy (p=.021), maternal weight on last day of pregnancy (p=.002) and maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) (p=.015) The placental weight of smoker during pregnancy was 628.82±107.40 grams; placental weight of non-smoker during pregnancy was 550.91±137.44 grams, and the difference was statistically significant (p=.007).The infant’s weight was significantly negatively correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked each day during pregnancy (p=.042). It was also significantly positively correlated with the infant’s placental weight (p=.000), length (p=.000), head circumference (p=.004), chest circumference (p=.000), and gestational week (p=.001). In addition to, it was significantly positively correlated with the maternal weight before pregnancy (p=.002), maternal BMI before pregnancy (p=.007), maternal weight on the last day of pregnancy (p=.000), and maternal BMI on the last day of pregnancy ( p=.002). Conclusion: In conclusion, we determined that the placenta is an indicator of fetal growth. Also, maternal BMI has an effect on the newborn’s weight. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with an increase in placental weight as well as a decrease in an infant’s weight.