Objective: The placenta weight/birth weight (PW/BW) ratio has been shown to be associated with certain long-term fetal outcomes; however, its association with short-term outcomes has not been evaluated. Our aim was to assess the correlation between the PW/BW ratio and short-term adverse obstetrics outcomes in full-term, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) newborns.
Design: Prospective, randomized.
Setting: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College & Hospital, Pimpri, Pune
Methods: In our study, three groups of full-term neonates have been taken, according to their PW/BW ratio (high, normal and low) and are compared. Our primary outcome includes the admission rate to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and secondary outcomes included an Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes. Results: Our study showed that the high PW/BW ratio group was associated with increased rates of admission to the NICU and Apgar scores < 7 at 5 minutes as compared to normal PW/BW ratio. The low PW/BW ratio group showed decreased rates of NICU admission. A high PW/BW ratio is significantly correlated with short-term adverse perinatal outcomes.
Conclusion: The possibility of short term health risks for newborns can be predicted by the PW/BW ratio.
Key words: Placental weight, birth weight, PW/BW ratio, NICU admission.
