Placental insufficiency

What it is

From: Orphanet

A rare obstetric disease characterized by inadequate blood flow to the placenta during pregnancy, resulting in a decrease in trans-placental transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, potentially leading to fetal growth retardation, distress, or death. Maternal risk factors include preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and smoking, among others.

Reported clinical features and what the terms mean

The following findings are associated with this condition in Orphanet. They are not a checklist for diagnosing yourself, and they do not all occur in every affected person. Some are examination, imaging or laboratory findings that cannot be recognised at home.

The frequency labels describe how often a finding was reported among people with the condition in the source. They do not give the chance that a person with that symptom has the condition. Definitions below reproduce HPO terminology; they explain the term, not the likely severity in an individual.

Abnormality of the placenta · Obligate (100%)

An abnormality of the placenta, the organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to enable nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange.

Hypoxemia · Very frequent (99-80%)

An abnormally low level of blood oxygen.

Intrauterine growth retardation · Very frequent (99-80%)

An abnormal restriction of fetal growth with fetal weight below the tenth percentile for gestational age.

Proportionate short stature · Very frequent (99-80%)

A kind of short stature in which different regions of the body are shortened to a comparable extent.

Small for gestational age · Very frequent (99-80%)

Smaller than normal size according to sex and gestational age related norms, defined as a weight below the 10th percentile for the gestational age.

Small placenta · Very frequent (99-80%)

Reduced size of the placenta.

Abnormal umbilical cord blood vessels · Very frequent (99-80%)

Antiphospholipid antibody positivity · Frequent (79-30%)

The presence of circulating autoantibodies to phospholipids.

Autism · Frequent (79-30%)

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. Autism begins in childhood. It is marked by the presence of markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication and a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interest. Manifestations of the disorder vary greatly depending on the developmental level and chronological age of the individual (DSM-IV).

Autistic behavior · Frequent (79-30%)

Persistent deficits in social interaction and communication and interaction as well as a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interest as well as repetitive patterns of behavior.

Neurodevelopmental abnormality · Frequent (79-30%)

A deviation from normal of the neurological development of a child, which may include any or all of the aspects of the development of personal, social, gross or fine motor, and cognitive abilities.

Systemic lupus erythematosus · Frequent (79-30%)

A chronic, relapsing, inflammatory, and often febrile multisystemic disorder of connective tissue, characterized principally by involvement of the skin, joints, kidneys, and serosal membranes.

Abnormal heart morphology · Occasional (29-5%)

Any structural anomaly of the heart.

Abnormal lung morphology · Occasional (29-5%)

Any structural anomaly of the lung.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Cerebral palsy (Occasional (29-5%)); Eclampsia (Occasional (29-5%)); Insulin resistance (Occasional (29-5%)); Maternal hypertension (Occasional (29-5%)); Preeclampsia (Occasional (29-5%)); Spontaneous abortion (Occasional (29-5%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

Adult

Inheritance in the source

From: Orphanet

Not applicable

Frequency and the population described

From: Orphanet

Point prevalence: 1-5 / 10 000; Worldwide; Value and class.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Placental insufficiency is Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with a obstetrician-gynaecologist as the relevant type of clinician. Obstetrician-gynaecologist; paediatric services for children as appropriate.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• How do age, pregnancy status and reproductive goals affect the assessment?
• Which changes in bleeding, pain or general health need prompt review?
• What are the benefits and risks of the available options in this situation?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

The material gathered for this draft does not provide a complete condition-specific treatment pathway for Placental insufficiency. That gap does not mean that treatment is unavailable. A clinician needs to establish the diagnosis and review current guidance before recommending medicines, procedures, rehabilitation or other support.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.