Stereological assessment of placental morphology in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

ObjectiveTo apply stereology for the detection of possibly morphological abnormalities in placentas of women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).Study designProspective case-control study of placentas from untreated and UDCA-treated ICP, respectively, and normal pregnancies, examined for morphological differences by systematic random sampling generated by computerized stereology methodology.Main outcome measuresVolume of placenta, surface area of terminal villi and capillaries, volume fraction of collagen, number of syncytial knots, and chorangiosis.ResultsSurface area of terminal villi and capillaries, and number of syncytial knots were higher in placentas from all ICP, as compared to controls (p < 0.01). A reduction of collagen was found in placentas from UDCA-treated ICP, both in comparison to placentas from untreated ICP and controls (p < 0.05).ConclusionICP affects the placenta morphologically as shown by increased terminal villous and capillary surface area, and number of syncytial knots.