Placental infarction

Placental Infarction

Placental infarction (pronunciation: pla-sen-tal in-fark-shun) is a medical condition that occurs when blood supply to a part of the placenta is blocked, leading to the death of placental tissue.

Etymology

The term "placental infarction" is derived from the Latin word 'placenta' meaning 'flat cake' and the Latin word 'infarctus' meaning 'stuffed into'.

Overview

In a normal pregnancy, the placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus. However, in the case of a placental infarction, a part of the placenta does not receive adequate blood flow, leading to the death of that part of the tissue. This can result in reduced oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus, potentially leading to complications such as fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and in severe cases, stillbirth.

Causes

Placental infarctions are often caused by thrombosis in the maternal blood vessels of the placenta. Other potential causes include hypertension, diabetes, and preeclampsia.

Symptoms

Symptoms of placental infarction may include abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and a decrease in fetal movement. However, in many cases, there may be no noticeable symptoms.

Diagnosis

Placental infarction is typically diagnosed through an ultrasound examination. Other diagnostic methods may include MRI and histopathological examination of the placenta after delivery.

Treatment

Treatment for placental infarction primarily involves managing the underlying cause and monitoring the health of the fetus. This may include medication to control blood pressure or blood sugar levels, and in severe cases, early delivery may be necessary.

Related Terms

• Placenta
• Thrombosis
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Preeclampsia
• Fetal growth restriction
• Preterm birth
• Stillbirth
• Ultrasound
• MRI
• Histopathological examination

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Placental infarction
• Wikipedia's article - Placental infarction

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