Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- childhood disease and disorder - Diseases transmitted through the placenta or due to placental dysfunction
- prenatal development - Fetal deviations
- pregnancy - Placental anomalies
- childhood disease and disorder - Cardiovascular disorders
- congenital disorder - Growth defects
- placental infarction
- pregnancy - Inflammation of the placenta
How can placental disorders create an unfavorable environment for a fetus?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Placental disorders create an unfavorable environment for a fetus primarily by compromising the organ's ability to provide essential nourishment, oxygen, and waste removal. When the placenta malfunctions—a condition known as placental insufficiency—it can lead to restricted fetal growth or, in severe cases, fetal death.12
Specific ways these disorders impact the fetus include:
- Nutrient and Oxygen Deprivation: Placental dysfunction can prevent the adequate transfer of nutrients, leading to growth retardation. Toward the end of pregnancy, this insufficiency may manifest as fetal distress, characterized by signs of oxygen deprivation or fetal wasting.13
- Structural Anomalies: Abnormalities in placental structure, such as those resulting from shallow or deep implantation, can lead to complications like bleeding or difficulties during delivery.4
- Infection Pathway: The placenta can serve as a conduit for infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which may cross from the mother to the fetus and cause severe congenital malformation or disease.156
- Inflammation: Inflammation of the placenta, often secondary to membrane infections, can allow bacteria to enter fetal circulation, frequently resulting in infant death.6