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Placental histology for infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy compared with healthy controls: a case-control study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The role of the placenta in the development of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains undefined. There is limited research comparing placental histology for infants with HIE and healthy controls. This is limiting our ability to understand its role in HIE. This study hypothesised that placental pathology is more common in infants with HIE compared with healthy infants and aimed to report the differences in placental histology between infants with HIE and healthy controls. A case-control study of infants with moderate andsevere HIE and healthy controls at a single tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Placental histology was reviewed by one perinatal histopathologist using consensus guidelines. Seventy-four cases and 98 controls were included. Cases had a higher incidence of pathology, including fetal vascular malperfusion, histological chorioamnionitis and delayed villous maturation. This study demonstrates a higher incidence of placental pathology for infants born with HIE suggesting that the placenta is an important factor in the pathogenesis of HIE. Further research is required to delineate this relationship. Placental pathology is more common in infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Fetal vascular malperfusion, histological chorioamnionitis and delayed villous maturation were increased in cases compared with controls. These findings have implications for future research and provide a foundation for further studies aiming to provide a better understanding of HIE pathogenesis and treatment.

Source: BMC Pediatrics

DOI: 10.1186/s12887-025-05652-2

Authors: Áine Fox, Emma Doyle, Adam Reynolds, Michael Geary, Rocco Cuzzilla, Breda Hayes