A medical term that describes a condition in which the placenta does not work properly is known as placental insufficiency. While it is mostly caused by chronic disorders and infections, it may also occur due to other causes.
This disorder is also called placental dysfunction. In general, the placenta supplies oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus during pregnancy. When this condition occurs, this organ cannot transfer enough blood, oxygen, and nutrients. It happens because the placenta does not develop correctly, or it is damaged. As a result, the fetus can be small for its age because it does not get enough nutrients and oxygen required to grow. In such cases, there is an increased risk of premature birth and other complications of pregnancy.
Unfortunately, there are no treatments for placental insufficiency. That’s why doctors recommend monitoring the fetus closely throughout the pregnancy. Sometimes, early delivery is the safest way to prevent serious complications.
In general, this condition affects about 1 in 10 women.
Symptoms
In general, there are no noticeable symptoms of this disorder. In some cases, it may cause vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy and a feeling that the fetus moves less, which may indicate problems with the placenta. Some women may notice that they are not gaining weight as they have in previous pregnancies.
Causes
The primary cause of placental dysfunction is problems with how it attaches to the uterine lining. However, it may also occur due to other causes. These include:
- The placenta breaking away from the lining of the uterus
- Damage or injuries to the placenta
- The placenta has an irregular shape
- Too large or too small placenta
Sometimes, the placenta does not work properly due to certain disorders or lifestyle factors. Additionally, in some cases, doctors cannot identify what exactly causes this disorder.
Risk Factors
Certain factors could increase your risk of developing placental dysfunction. For example:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Blood clotting disorders
- The pregnancy goes beyond 40 weeks
- Preeclampsia
- Uterine infection left untreated
- Heavy bleeding or other complications that occur in the early pregnancy
- Age – If you become pregnant over 35 years old, the risk of developing placental dysfunction significantly increases.
- Some medicines
- Alcohol
- Smoking
What Are The Potential Complications of Placental Insufficiency?
It is important to understand that this condition can cause complications for both the mother and the developing baby. Furthermore, the following complications can be life-threatening for the fetus. Check some examples of complications in babies below:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
- Premature birth, which can cause low body temperature and body weight
- Fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the fetus’s brain)
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- An increased level of Bilirubin in the blood
- Hypocalcemia (reduced Calcium level in the blood)
- Stillbirth
However, the mother can also experience some complications. For example:
- Preterm labor or delivery
- Placental abruption
Previous lists do not contain all possible complications of this disorder. Furthermore, you can talk with your physicians about ways to reduce the risk of the previous complications.
How to Prevent Placental Insufficiency?
In most cases, this health condition cannot be prevented. One of the best ways to prevent serious complications for you and your baby is early prenatal care, through which doctors detect this condition sooner. It helps reduce the risk of complications and manage preexisting or new diseases that can also cause unpleasant outcomes.
Diagnosis
This condition is often diagnosed during a prenatal examination or ultrasound. The ultrasound is an imaging test that helps detect blood flow between the placenta and fetus and determine the exact size and position of them. Doctors usually suspect placental dysfunction when the fetus is smaller than the average for their age. You should also inform your doctor about how you feel the fetus move and other concerns.
Treatment
There is no way to treat or cure this disorder. Therefore, doctors can recommend options to reduce its impact on the pregnancy. Medical care often depends on several factors, including the trimester of the pregnancy, test results, and other complications you have.
Pregnancy monitoring is an important part of pregnancy, and it helps check the growth and health of the fetus regularly. It is also important to get treatment for other conditions that can occur along with placental dysfunction. These include hypertension, diabetes, and others.
Commonly, if the pregnancy is at term (about 37 weeks), doctors can recommend delivery as it is the safest way to prevent serious complications. When you have not done it in the term, physicians will monitor the fetus until it occurs. Sometimes, doctors prescribe steroids to help the fetus’s lungs develop if an early delivery is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can placental insufficiency improve?
When this condition occurs, it won’t become fully functional. However, doctors will recommend treatments for existing health conditions and monitor the developing fetus to prevent serious complications. In general, with early diagnosis, you can keep your placenta from breaking down further.
What is the main cause of placental insufficiency?
This condition usually occurs due to problems with how the placenta attaches to the lining of the uterus. However, it can also occur due to other causes, such as health conditions, some medicines, lifestyle choices, and other factors.
Can a baby survive placental insufficiency?
In most cases, babies survive because doctors often recommend early delivery for their mothers, as it is the safest way to prevent serious complications. Usually, babies after birth need care in the NICU.
What is the survival rate for placental insufficiency?
According to some studies, the survival rates are about 81% in liveborn infants. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
