Premature aging of the placenta: what does it mean, signs, than what threatens

Aging of the placenta is a serious disease that can occur during pregnancy. Premature aging of the placenta may result in the child not receiving the nutrients needed for survival, requiring that the child be born before the expiry of the term. But do not panic, you need to understand the causes of pathology, in order to know the prognosis and tactics of treatment.

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Causes of the early aging of the placenta

To talk about the mechanisms and causes of this problem, you first need to understand what the aging of the placenta and why it is needed in pregnancy?

The placenta is the organ that develops in your uterus during pregnancy. The placenta and its health are vital for the health of pregnant women and fetal development. The blood-rich placenta is connected to the uterine wall and connects to the baby via the umbilical cord. This body provides oxygen, nutrients and filters fetal waste during pregnancy. It also plays an important role in the production of hormones and protects the fetus from bacteria and infections.

The placenta produces a number of hormones that are needed during pregnancy, such as lactogen, estrogen and progesterone. She keeps the mother's blood separate from the baby's blood to protect the baby from infections. The placenta often develops low in the womb, but moves to the side or upward as the uterus stretches. The position of the placenta will be checked on your 18-week ultrasound.

It is widely believed that during normal pregnancy, the placenta gradually increases and is on the verge of a transition to morphological and physiological aging. This is already closer to the date of childbirth, which is accompanied by a slight decrease in the function of the placenta. The rate of aging of the placenta implies exactly this process.

Physiological aging of the placenta is considered one of the integral and progressive part of its development, which leads to an irreversible loss of functional ability to maintain homeostasis and reduce damage. But in certain cases, this happens earlier than necessary, which affects the child accordingly.

Placental growth and DNA synthesis in its cells cease around the 36th week of pregnancy and any subsequent increase in the size of the placenta is associated with an increase in the size of the cells, rather than in an increase in the number of cells. The growth of the placenta, of course, slows down, but does not stop, during the last few weeks of pregnancy, although this decrease in the rate of growth is unchanged and irreversible. If any factor acts, the aging process can begin in advance, which means that it reduces the barrier function of the placenta, and reduces the synthesized hormones. This all slows the growth of the fetus or stimulates premature birth.

The causes of premature aging of the placenta are sometimes unknown. But there are some possible reasons. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to calcification of the placenta. As this calcification takes place, the placenta begins to grow faster when parts of it die off. Studies have shown that small bacteria, known as Nannobacteria, can also lead to calcification of the placenta. As calcification occurs, the placenta ages prematurely, exposing the mother and child to risk. Other risks of premature aging of the placenta are diabetes, and high blood pressure in the mother.

[2], [3], [4]

Risk factors

Risk factors for placental disorders, including aging of the placenta, depend on ethnicity, lifestyle and medical history. Various factors can affect the health of the placenta during pregnancy, some are modifiable, and some are not. For example, maternal age. Some problems with the placenta are more common in older women, especially after 40 years. High blood pressure can affect your placenta.

The aging of the placenta is doubled more often. If you are pregnant with more than one child, you may have an increased risk of some problems with the placenta.

Violations of blood clotting. Any condition that either worsens your blood's ability to thicken, or increases the likelihood of blood clotting, increases the risk of some problems with the placenta.

Previous uterine operation. If you had a previous operation on the uterus, for example, an operation to remove fibroids, you are at increased risk of some problems with the placenta.

Previous problems with the placenta. If you have had a placental problem during a previous pregnancy, you may have an increased risk of re-infection.

Abuse of alcohol or drugs. Premature aging of the placenta is more common in women who smoke or use illegal drugs during pregnancy.

[5], [6]

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of placenta aging is most often in the formation of calcifications that disrupt the structure, and thus the functions of the placenta. Calcification of the placenta from 37 weeks is considered normal and is not a cause for concern. Calcification of the placenta before 37 weeks becomes more dangerous for the child. The younger the child, when calcification occurs, the heavier the condition.

The aging placenta does not work as well as it should, and this can mean not delivering enough oxygen and nutrients to the baby. Calcium deposits in the placenta can cause parts of the placenta to die or be replaced by a fibrous tissue, which is a useless tissue in the placenta.

Calcium deposits can also increase the risk of blood clots in the placenta. They can harden the blood vessels in the placenta and slow the blood flow to the baby. All these changes can underlie the aging of the placenta.

[7], [8], [9], [10]

Symptoms of the early aging of the placenta

Symptoms of aging of the placenta affect primarily the child. Therefore, the first signs of this pathology is difficult to identify to my mother only on self-awareness. If we are talking about the aging of the placenta in the third trimester, when the child is already active, the symptoms will manifest themselves with a violation of its activity. When a woman begins to feel the movements of the child, then this corresponds to the 20th week. By the 30th week he is already very active. When the placenta ages, the blood circulation is disturbed, which leads to hypoxia. Hypoxia reduces active brain activity, so the child can stop actively moving. This may be one of the first manifestations when a previously active child of the herd less moves. On the condition of the woman herself, the aging of the placenta does not affect in any way, therefore the woman should be wary, first of all, of her mutual feelings with the child.

The scarring and aging of the placenta are often combined, as reducing the amount of amniotic fluid can be a factor in development and aging. In this case, the signs develop in the second trimester. When the woman's belly circumference should increase according to the time, this does not happen, because the low content of amniotic fluid. This is one of the main manifestations of pathology. As a rule, this symptom makes an ultrasound, and according to its results, the aging of the placenta is already accurately determined. Premature aging of the placenta with calcifications is also only a sign of ultrasound, and confirms the diagnosis of aging.

The age of the placenta corresponds to the development of this organ. The stages of placenta aging are distinguished, which should also be in normal conditions during physiological pregnancy.

1. The first stage or zero degree is the process of placenta formation, the growth of its cells, the synthesis in DNA cells, the increase in the number of tissues and the functional activation of the lobules. This stage passes from the beginning of placentation and lasts until the twenty-eighth to the thirtieth week. At this time, the placenta must be fully formed and must actively perform its functions.
2. The second stage or 1 degree is the process of active growth corresponding to the growth of the fetus. In this stage, the placenta begins to synthesize some specific hormones and substances that the child needs at this stage, for example, a surfactant. This stage lasts until the thirty-fourth week.
3. The third stage or the 2nd degree is the period of maturation of the placenta, which ensures all the vital signs of the child until the very period of childbirth, that is, it lasts until the thirty-ninth to the fortieth week of pregnancy, until the delivery begins. If childbirth does not occur, then the aging process begins physiologically.
4. The fourth stage or the third degree is the physiological aging of the placenta, which can begin from 37 weeks or later. In any case, for several days or weeks before delivery, aging is a normal process.

The placental aging period for weeks in the physiological process is limited to a period of thirty-seven weeks and forty-two weeks, the period when delivery should occur.

Early premature aging of the placenta is when signs of calcification or cessation of placenta growth are observed less than 37 weeks.

What is dangerous and what threatens the aging of the placenta? The question is still being discussed, calcification of the placenta is a manifestation of pathology or its complication. But it is clear that this can be considered a consequence of this aging process. Calcification of the placenta refers to calcium deposits that appear on the placenta. These calcium deposits can lead to the death of some small parts of the placenta. They can also harden or block the maternal blood vessels. This will lead to fetal hypoxia, and most likely to delay the development of the baby, which is one of the complications.

Childbirth in premature aging of the placenta is often premature, as it normally occurs before childbirth and is one of the factors in the onset of labor. This can also be considered one of the complications.

[11], [12], [13], [14]

Diagnostics of the early aging of the placenta

How is the aging of the placenta determined? Instrumental diagnosis here is in the first place, and this diagnosis can be established only on the basis of ultrasound data. Therefore it is important to undergo scheduled examinations and take tests.

At each planned ultrasound examination of the fetus, an assessment of the quality of the placenta is carried out. Placental classification refers to the system of ultrasound evaluation of the placenta, based on its maturity. The classification system is as follows:

Class 0 - gestational age is less than 18 weeks:

•  uniform echogenicity;
•  smooth chorionic plate.

Class I - gestational age 18-29 weeks:

•  random parenchymal calcification (single hyperechoic regions);
•  thin depressions of the chorionic plate.

Class II - gestation period is more than 30 weeks:

•  random basal calcifications (hyperechoic regions);
•  deeper depressions of the chorionic plate (does not reach the basal plate).

Class III - gestational age greater than 39 weeks:

•  significant basification plate calcification;
•  a chorionic plate interrupted by depressions (often calcified) that reach the basal plate;
•  early progression to grade III placental development

Such signs of ultrasound should be normal, if there are deviations, they can qualify as premature aging of the placenta.

When calcification is detected at an early stage of pregnancy, this may indicate that the placenta is aging faster than it should. For most women with calcification of the placenta, careful monitoring of the child's growth is necessary.

[15], [16], [17],

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of placental aging should be performed with chronic placental insufficiency. From time to time, the placenta may not function properly. When this happens, it may not deliver enough food, causing placental insufficiency. But this process is chronic, unlike the aging of the placenta. Therefore, placental insufficiency often leads to a restriction of fetal growth and low birth weight in infants. Whereas with aging, growth does not suffer, but premature birth often begins.

Treatment of the early aging of the placenta

How to stop and how to treat the aging of the placenta? It must be said that it is very difficult to stop this process. Therefore, the treatment uses drugs that improve blood flow in the placenta and improve the blood circulation of the fetus.

1. Curantil with aging placenta is used as a tool that reduces the risk of thrombosis. Often when the placenta ages, calcifications are formed, on which thrombi can form. To avoid this use as a medicine in complex therapy Curantil. The method of use can be applied orally. Dosage - from 75 milligrams per day, if necessary, the dose can be increased. Side effects can be in the form of the beginning of bleeding of different localization, increased pressure, a feeling of heat. The drug is not contraindicated in pregnancy, but precautions - use caution when threatening miscarriage.
2. Actovegin with aging of the placenta is also used as a symptomatic agent. It is a cellular activator of energy, which allows improving blood circulation and nutrition of cells in the placenta. The method of administration is also oral in the form of a dragee. Dosage for women is one dragee three times a day. Side effects can be in the form of severe hives. Precautions - use with caution in the early stages.
3. Flebodia is a venotonizing drug that improves the flow of lymph from the tissues, and also improves blood circulation in the capillaries. It can be used for aging of the placenta, especially if it is combined with swelling in women or varicose veins. Method of oral administration. Dosage - one tablet once a day. Side effects can be in the form of a headache. Precautions - the drug must be canceled ten days before delivery.

Vitamins can be very important in treating the aging of the placenta, as they improve trophism of tissues and can activate fetal growth and normalize the function of the placenta. You can use complex vitamins for pregnant women.

Nutrition in premature aging of the placenta plays an important role, since in the diet should be present in this case, products containing iron. Because the prevention of anemia in the mother can improve blood circulation in the fetus.

Alternative treatment and homeopathy is not used.

Surgical treatment is also not relevant, only in the case of acute hypoxia of the fetus against the background of aging of the placenta and other factors, it is possible to conduct cesarean section.

Prevention

Preventing premature aging of the placenta implies correction of risk factors. Women may be at a higher risk of premature calcification of the placenta if they have risk factors. It is very important that women make sure that they get enough antioxidants with prenatal vitamins and food intake. It seems that antioxidants can help prevent premature aging of the placenta. Vitamins E, C and beta-carotene are of particular importance and may be required in large doses.

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Forecast

The prognosis for aging of the placenta is favorable, almost all babies are born healthy, sometimes there may be prematurity of the 1st degree. For the child's life, the prognosis is also favorable.

Aging of the placenta is an early process of stopping the normal functioning of this organ. This, of course, has risks for the child, so it is better to prevent such a condition. In this case, a healthy lifestyle, nutrition and timely examinations will be of paramount importance.

[20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27]