ULTRASONIC PLACENTAL GRADING IN HIGH RISK PREGNANCY

264 high risk pregnancy patients were studied by B mode ultrasound for placental grading and biparietal diameter (BPD) measurement. The Lecithinsphingomyelin (L/S) ratio, phosphatidyl-glyceroi (PG) and foam test were performed with 81 cases as control. Repeat cesarean sections were performed in 44 patients who did not have amniocentesis and their operation timing was based only upon placental grading, biparietal measurement and clinical examination. No respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurred in this group after delivery. This study shows that when BPD of≥ 8.7 cm is combined with Ⅰ, Ⅱ, or Ⅲ placental grading neonatal Dubowitz scores correspond to 38 weeks; neonatal birth weight is greater than 2,500 g and there is no RDS. Combined BPD of≥8.5 cm with a Grade Ⅲ placenta preclude the necessity for amniocentesis to prove fetal lung maturity. Grade Ⅲ placenta is more common in postdatism, chronic hypertension and preeclampsia and less common in diabetics.