CORRELATIONS BETWEEN WEIGHTS OF NEWBORN BABIES, PLACENTAL PARAMETERS AND GESTATIONAL-AGE

The relationships between foetal weights, placental parameters and ges tational ages were studied in 200 placentae. In addition to confirming that foetal weight, placental weight and gestational age correlated, the results showed that baby weight, placental weight, placental surfa ce area correlate to the length of cord and that the length of cord co rrelates to gestational age (p<0.05). These correlations are reported for the first time and are difficult to explain. It is recommended to establish birthweight standards in order to assess intra-uterine growt h retardation, and to re-examine the correlations reported here throug h prospective studies as they might be relevant clinically and provide important clues on morbidity prospects of an individual during postna tal life.