Introduction– Placenta is a marker for the growth & development of the foetus in uterus. A thorough examination of the placenta in–utero, as well as post partum, gives valuable information about the state of foetal well being. Objectives – The present study was performed to evaluate the morphological changes in placentae obtained from patients with history of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and compare them with placentae obtained from patients who had normal blood pressure in pregnancy as in the developing countries, pregnancy induced hypertension is well recognized obstetrics hazard.

Material & method – 100 placentae were obtained from the labour room and operating theatres of Rama Hospital & Reasearch centre, Hapur. 50 placentae were from patients who had pregnancy induced  hypertension (study group) and 50 were from normotensive pregnant women (control group). Detail history of each mother along with measurement of blood pressure was recorded. Weight of each baby was recorded at the time of birth. Then gross examination of   placenta including weight, shape, cord insertion ,thickness were   noted in both groups.

Result – On morphometric examination, it was noted that the placentae obtained from study group were smaller and irregular with mean weight up to 20% less than the placentae of control group. There was marginal insertion of cord in 74% of placentae of study group as compared to only 26% in control group. On gross examination, foci of calcification, infarction and thrombosis were seen almost twice the number of placentae from study group as compared to control group. The difference in gross examination of placenta was more significant if the patients had hypertension ≥ 140/100 mm Hg. This also correlated with the birth weight of babies born. The mean weight of babies born to hypertensive mothers was 1.97 kg while it was 2.68 kg in normotensive mothers.

Conclusion– This  study has shown that in moderate to severe hypertension there are  number of morphometric changes in the placenta which may be helpful to clinicians in management  of complications associated with it.