A novel method for classifying placental shape using PlacentaVision with digital images

open_access
Open Access
Author:
Sanni, Yusrat
Millennium Scholars Program:
Statistics (STAT)
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisor:
Alison D Gernand, Thesis Supervisor
Rachel Elizabeth Walker, Advisor
Keywords:
Pregnancy
Placenta
PlacentaVision
Abstract:
There is currently no standardized method to classify the shape of a placenta. Placental morphology may reflect underlying placental development and function, but the relationship between placental shape and placental efficiency remains unclear. The aims of this study were to classify placental disc shape into round, oval, and irregular categories using PlacentaVision morphology measures and to examine the association between placental shape and placental efficiency. This observational study included 24,826 placentas submitted for pathology evaluation from Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL. We created placental shape classifications based on quantitative measures including shape ratio and length-to- width ratio. Placental characteristics including weight, length, width, perimeter, area, and thickness were compared across shape groups. Placental efficiency was defined using the birth weight to placental weight ratio and evaluated using univariate and multivariate linear regression models adjusted for infant sex, gestational age, maternal age, and parity. Round (46%) and oval (43%) placentas comprised most of the sample, while irregular (11%) placentas were less common. Irregular placentas demonstrated larger perimeter and surface area but slightly lower placental weight and thickness compared to round and oval placentas, suggesting differences in placental growth patterns. Despite these structural differences, placental shape was not significantly associated with placental efficiency after adjustment. These associations did not change when stratified by infant sex and gestational age. Placental efficiency increased with gestational age, with lower values observed in preterm births and higher values in full term births. Overall, irregular placental morphology was associated with distinct structural characteristics but not with reduced placental efficiency.